Miss Saigon at a glance

Show
Miss Saigon
Venue
Prince Edward Theatre, Soho
Address
28 Old Compton Street, London W1D 4HS
Nearest station
Leicester Square; Tottenham Court Road also close
Genre
Musical
Running time
About 2 hours 40 minutes, including an interval
Age guidance
14+ (sexual and violent scenes, war themes, gunshots, strobe and pyrotechnics)
Dates
13 May 2027 – 8 January 2028
Performances
Monday to Saturday 7.30pm; Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
Price range
From £24 (typically £24–£270)
Music
Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics
Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil
Director
Jean-Pierre van der Spuy
Producer
Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Michael Harrison

Expert Review: Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre

4.4
★★★★☆

LTH Anticipation Rating

Reviewed by the London Theatre Hub editorial team. Last updated: 23 September 2026. Anticipation rating based on the 2025–26 tour; to be reviewed after the West End opening.

The Verdict

Miss Saigon is one of the great big-sing musicals: almost entirely sung, with sweeping ballads, a thundering orchestra and the famous helicopter scene. Loosely inspired by Puccini's Madame Butterfly, it moves the story to Vietnam in 1975 and follows Kim, a 17-year-old forced to work in a Saigon bar, and Chris, the American soldier she falls in love with before the city falls and they are torn apart.

The production heading into the Prince Edward is the one that toured the UK and Ireland in 2025 and 2026, directed by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy. Critics were largely enthusiastic: WhatsOnStage gave five stars and singled out the helicopter sequence and the performances, while All Edinburgh Theatre gave four stars and praised the revolving set and orchestra. Both noted that the show's drama rarely lets up. The musical has also long drawn criticism for how it depicts Vietnamese women and Asian characters, and audiences should be aware of that debate. As a piece of large-scale musical theatre it remains hugely effective; we will rate the West End cast once they are announced and the show has opened.

What Makes It Special

  • A West End return. The first London run since the 25th anniversary production at the same theatre in 2014.
  • The helicopter. The evacuation of Saigon remains one of musical theatre's most famous staging moments.
  • The score. Boublil and Schönberg, the team behind Les Misérables, wrote some of their best-known songs for it.
  • A proven production. This staging arrives after a sell-out UK and Ireland tour and strong reviews.
  • A long booking period. Tickets are on sale through to January 2028, so there is plenty of choice of dates.

You'll love Miss Saigon if you...

  • Love Les Misérables and big, sung-through musicals
  • Want spectacle on a grand scale
  • Enjoy tragic love stories with powerful ballads
  • Saw it before and want to revisit it with a new generation of performers
  • Like planning ahead and booking early for the best seats

It might not be for you if you...

  • Are uncomfortable with the show's portrayal of Asian characters
  • Want a light, feel-good night out
  • Are bringing children under 14
  • Are sensitive to gunshots, strobe lighting or pyrotechnics

Best for

  • Musical fans
  • Epic love stories
  • Spectacle
  • Date night
  • Adults and teens 14+

Less suited to families with younger children or anyone after a light-hearted evening.

Critical Reception

The West End run begins on 13 May 2027 and casting is still to be announced, so there are no reviews of the London production yet. The ratings below are for the same production on its 2025–26 UK and Ireland tour.

  • WhatsOnStage (tour, 2025) ★★★★★
  • All Edinburgh Theatre (tour, 2025) ★★★★
  • West End 2027 Reviews to follow

Source: published reviews of the 2025–26 UK and Ireland tour.

Everything You Need to Know

What happens in Miss Saigon?

Saigon, 1975. As the Vietnam War nears its end, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a bar run by a hustler known as the Engineer. There she meets Chris, an American soldier, and the two fall in love.

The fall of Saigon

When the city falls, the Americans evacuate in chaos and Chris is forced to leave without Kim. Neither knows when, or whether, they will see each other again.

Three years later

Kim is struggling to survive and raising a son, Chris's child, whom he does not know exists. Chris, back in America, has tried to move on with his life.

A journey to Bangkok

When Chris learns about the boy, the story moves to Bangkok, where Kim and the Engineer are chasing a chance of a new life in America. The musical builds to a heartbreaking ending about sacrifice and a mother's love.