THE Isle of Man should prepare to be "blown away" by Douglas Choral Union's production of Miss Saigon.

That's according to the show's director Tara Wilkinson who says the cast are "exceptional" and "sound incredible". 

Tara, who is based in the UK, is responsible for directing and choreographing the production which is based on Giacomo Puccini's Madam Butterfly.

Douglas Choral Union was given personal approval by Sir Cameron Mackintosh to perform the British Isles' amateur performance of Miss Saigon which is set in 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War.

It tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance between a Vietnamese bar girl (played by Rebecca Lawrence) and her American GI lover (played by Jonathan Sleight).

isleofman.com reporter Tessa Hawley caught up with Tara, who studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and has many years experience performing, directing and coreographing, to find out more about the production:

Have you ever directed Miss Saigon before?

"This is the first time I have directed Miss Saigon but it is one of the shows I have loved from the minute I heard the soundtrack and from when I saw the show with Lea Salonga many years ago. The music is possibly the best score ever written for musical theatre and the story is so touching it was hard to refuse."

How did you prepare for this musical?

"I like to do as much research as possible especially as this is a piece that involves a period of history that needs to be shown as realistically and precisely as possible.

"I also worked on a show called HAIR which was about the hippies and protesters of the Vietnam War so have researched the pros and cons of this particular war and time in detail. It is a sad and fascinating subject."

For those people who have never seen Miss Saigon before could you give a brief overview of the story? 

"This story is set at the end of the Vietnam War - specifically reported as The Fall of Saigon - where the US forces depart Saigon before it becomes Ho Chi Minh. In the fall out certain people left behind are in fear of their lives as they have to survive poverty, prison or worse.

"One particular victim of this is a young Vietnamese girl named Kim who falls in love with a US soldier (Chris) and is left stranded believing he will return for her.

"Three years later their paths are reunited with desperate and sad circumstances. Chris has remarried an American girl called Ellen and Kim has a three year old boy called Tam who is Chris's son.

"The outcome results in the ultimate sacrifice by Kim - to make sure her son grows up with his father in America and avoids the depraved life she knows he will suffer in Asia.

"This is an emotional and touching story but has many light hearted moments thanks to a naughty but nice character called the Engineer (played by David Artus) who allows us to laugh in adversity and also has a show stopping dream sequence.

"This show will have you laughing and crying - sometimes at the same time."

How important is the music in this production?

"The music in this show is the most beautiful score ever. As the entire script is sung through like Les Miserables it is written to emote feelings with every word."

How closely do you work with the musical director Andrew Hilton?

"Very closely. As this is a sung through acting piece it is important we work well together and luckily I have the utmost respect for Andrew Hilton and work with him on other professional shows too so we tend to agree and disagree well together!"

Miss Saigon premiered at the Theatre Royal in 1989. Why do you think it remains so popular?

"I truly believe the music and storyline are the best to have been written. The truth behind this sad love story touches your heart and I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with this show."

Who do you think Miss Saigon will appeal to?

"Anyone with a love for beautiful music and interesting and touching storylines."

What do you think of the Gaiety Theatre where Miss Saigon will be performed?

"It is a beautiful theatre and the crew and management are all very helpful and professional. I'm looking forward to seeing that curtain go up and hearing this amazing musical score come to life there."

Douglas Choral Union's production of Miss Saigon will run at the Gaiety Theatre from February 6 to February 18. Tickets are available by contacting the Box Office on 01624 600555.