Miss Saigon - Sheffield Crucible

And with a female engineer which I'm sure will get many talking

I mean, the idea of a female “pimp” isn’t new. Madames have operated for centuries, but in a completely different manner to a typical street “hustler” like the Engineer is written to be.

I understand wanting to be different; we’ve had a brilliant “traditional” Miss Saigon in recent years, which also toured extensively. I wouldn’t be bothered about seeing another replica production for a long time anyway.

But I do wonder if this particular choice is appropriate for the telling of the story, regardless of Jo Ampil’s undeniable quality as a performer.

The Engineer is a human trafficking, misogynistic slimeball. He is able to manipulate desperate women because he is a man, and women in 1960’s Vietnam were considered inferior to men, subservient to an outrageous degree. I read a terrific book on this subject, and can provide details if anyone is interested! A woman (and I have strong suspicions how Jo will be portrayed in terms of look and sexuality) is a rather questionable choice.

Unlike many other gender swaps/non-traditional castings, I feel this does open opportunities. It feels it is happening because it’s Jo, rather than “let’s do a female Engineer to be different” then going down the usual casting process, as with Company for instance.

I just can’t see how it will work narratively.

This makes absolutely no sense and screams of doing something different for the sake of it, because there's no way the book makes sense with a female engineer. Non-replica, re-imagine, whatever, but don't make changes that fly in the face of the entire point of the character (for all the reasons inthenose pointed out so eloquently above).
On that note, especially please don't get any ideas to gender swap Kim.

Musical theatre makers these days seem to be hell bent on moving further and further away from any semblance of historical accuracy don't they?....

They'll probably change it into a plane!

Miss Saigon was the first show I saw and is one of my favourites. When I saw female engineer at first I was thinking what?? But I can see this working really well, a woman would be better to manipulate girls into joining. I’m excited to see this now!

(Please bring back Aynrand Ferrer for Kim!!)

It'll be an interpretive dancer who identifies as a helicopter, and you will enjoy it.

Glass elevator!!!

Whilst I agree (people burst into song randomly, walk around a stage, we all know it’s not real) in principle, there is a line. I draw the line at maintaining believability and “truth” within the story. Willing suspension of disbelief depends on the nature of the piece. Magical flying car, do what you like. What might work in Chitty as a bit of “business” will not work in a piece which is meant to elicit an emotional response, like Les Mis.

Nobody is saying (I hope!) that MT is realistic, but it should be delivered as if true. Directors often talk about “finding the truth” in a piece - even in panto.

A new production of Miss Saigon will be presented in the Crucible Theatre from Saturday 8 July 2023 to Saturday 12 August 2023.

The first regional non-replica production of Boublil and Schönberg's hit musical (which is set during the Vietnam War and follows a tragic love story) will feature a reimagined staging by Sheffield Theatres' artistic director Robert Hastie and RTYDS associate artistic director Anthony Lau as co-directors, with design by Ben Stones and lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun.

Joanna Ampil (South Pacific) will play The Engineer, with additional casting to be announced.

Or a puppet with 15 visible operators…

Me and thee could audition, BurlyBeaR.

Typical! The one day I'm incommunicado, and this is announced.

I don't know why everyone is worrying. When was the last time the world-famous Crucible Theatre let us down?