Miss Saigon at The Bristol Hippodrome - July 2026
Posted on: 2026-07-23
Our rating:
5 Stars - rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the Bristol audience
Multi award-winning musical Miss Saigon returned to The Bristol Hippodrome this week to rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the captivated Bristol audience. Check out Brendan Murphy's 5 star revew below.
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Playing at The Bristol Hippodrome until 1 August, this spectacular new touring production proves why Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's masterpiece remains one of the most talked-about musicals ever written. Over 35 years since its premiere at The Theatre Royal is London's West End, it still delivers a theatrical experience that is breathtaking in both scale and emotion.
Miss Saigon is set during the final days of the Vietnam War and follows the story of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman whose chance encounter with American GI Chris sparks a love story destined to be torn apart by war, politics and circumstance.
The cast are outstanding throughout. Kim is played by Filipino actress Julianne Pundan with remarkable vulnerability and quiet strength, delivering soaring vocals that fill every corner of The Bristol Hippodrome. Chris (Jack Kane) brings sincerity to a deeply conflicted character, while The Engineer (Seann Miley Moore) almost steals the show entirely, combining outrageous humour, razor-sharp comic timing and larger-than-life charisma as well as showing off a great pair of legs later in the show. His performance of The American Dream is one of the evening's undeniable highlights, bringing a burst of Broadway spectacle that earns one of the loudest cheers of the night.
Visually, this production is simply stunning. The set transitions are seamless, transporting the audience from the neon-lit chaos of wartime Saigon to the stark contrast of post-war America with cinematic precision. The lighting design, projections and choreography work together beautifully, creating scenes that feel both intimate and epic. And yes, the legendary helicopter sequence still delivers. While updated for the touring production, it remains one of the most technically impressive moments in musical theatre, producing an audible gasp from the audience as the evacuation of Saigon unfolds in heartbreaking fashion.
A huge shout out to the conductor who didn't get a moments rest across the whole show and also the live orchestra, I hope they had air-con under the stage!
Miss Saigon is playing at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 1 August 2026. Running time is 2 hours 40 minutes inc. interval. 14+.
Article by:
Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 15 years and advertising for the last 25 years. A wealth of knowledge about the city and more importantly at how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call Brendan on 07876 735153 or email Brendan@365bristol.com.
