The heat is on in Saigon

During our trip to London, we went seeing the revised version of Miss Saigon, the musical based on Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly'. A story of love and loss, with no happy ending - but ever so beautiful.

Cameron McIntosh brought this revamped version to the Prince Edward Theatre (which was also restyled). We saw Miss Saigon years ago, when it made its first run on the West End. Then Lea Salonga was the new star, establishing her career.

But the new cast certainly did well. Alain Boublil and Jean-Michel Schönberg will have been proud, and so would McIntosh.

For those of you who have seen the original version, I can tell there are some changes made. But they make the storyline better, in my view. The helicopter scene now comes as a sort of flashback. Btw, with the new technology, you could actually feel the wind in your hair when the helicopter 'flew over'.

The main role is reserved for The Engineer. This part was taken in by Jon Jon Briones, who was also in the original crew. He did not have an important role, however. But right now he was great! The musical depends on a strong performance of this character. And Briones is a star.

Also the new Kim, Eva Noblezada, will most likely make her way in showbizz land. She is still young, and you could see she was moved by the standing ovation the musical received.

So if you have money to spare, get yourself a ticket and go watch. I can recommend it.