Showing at The Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 29 November, a new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Miss Saigon, The Legend Reborn.

Bought to us by Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh, this epic musical odyssey of love and war continues to amaze 35 years after its premiere. Stirring live orchestration, beautiful performances and incredible visual effects combine to make for an original and moving theatrical experience.

It’s 1975 and the Vietnam war is wreaking unspeakable damage in Saigon, but behind the closed doors at ‘Dreamland’ - a sleazy underground club where American soldiers buy local women’s affections - the party is in full swing. The atmosphere of lawless hedonism and decadence is kept in check by The Engineer, master of ceremonies and formidable wit. In this heady mix of war-torn chaos and wonton exploitation, our two protagonists first encounter each other. Chris, a well-intentioned but traumatised American soldier, meets Kim, a young Vietnamese woman who has resorted to prostitution out of desperation. In this deeply unequal relationship, they manage to find mutual respect, understanding, and ultimately, love.

The genius of this production is in its scale. Rather than feeling melodramatic, Jean-Pierre Van Der Spur’s precise direction means the larger-than-life characters and heightened, operatic emotion - in the context of Andrew D Edwards’s baroque, detailed set - sheds a glaring light on the impact war has on everyday lives. Bruno Poet’s stunning lighting design illustrates this perfectly - across the stage deep looming shadows contrast with swathes of jingoistic colour, pitting the camp charade and pomp of nationalism against the harrowing impact it has on ordinary people.

The action reaches its crescendo as Kim attempts to come to terms with the consequences of American imperialism on her country, life and body, and Julianne Pundan’s heartrending portrayal is in turns tragic and thoroughly compelling. She presents a resilient but desperate mother who is visibly weighed down by her circumstances, capable and determined yet vulnerable and innocent. Jack Kane provides an excellent foil in his performance as Kim’s well-intentioned but clumsily privileged lover Chris. Meanwhile Seann Miley Moore thrives in the role of The Engineer - a Fagin-esque embodiment of how people exploit others' hardships for personal gain. His dazzling rendition of The American Dream is one of the many highlights of the night. You can feel the opera that the original story is based on coming through; the soaring aria-esque solo numbers are both incredible to behold and deeply moving. Supporting cast members Emily Langham, Dominic Heartly-Harris, Mikko Juan and Ace all deliver awe-inspiring solos.

Whilst the racially charged mistreatment of women throughout the story is sometimes difficult to watch, it feels authentic, neither sanitised nor sensationalised. This story sheds light on their plight, and we empathise profoundly with them. Miss Saigon, The Legend Reborn foregrounds humanity in conflict and stresses the point that there are no victors in war with urgency and empathy - a message that is as relevant today as it was then.

Five stars

Miss Saigon, The Legend Reborn was reviewed by Todd Jennings on Wednesday 19 November at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, where it shows until Saturday 29 November