Comments for Miss Saigon at http://www.australianstage.com.au , comment 1 to 3 out of 3 comments http://www.australianstage.com.au Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:14:55 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.australianstage.com.au/200910112908/reviews/tasmania/miss-saigon.html#comment-1053 Wow. What an extremely blinkered view you have Adam. You are right, there are 1000's of shows they could have done - like The King And I perhaps. No amateur theatre company would ever do that because it requires an Asian cast right? Your view doesn't discredit the performers. It discredits yourself. I too am interstate but if I had access to this show I would most definitely have gone. I guess you are unaware that the professional version on Miss Saigon in the US had it's issues pertaining to the use of a non Asian 'Engineer'. Unions fought to have the role cast with an Asian performer but the production company refused as they judged and selected a cast based on it's sheer talent and merit. Your comment speculates and discriminates. How are we to know what criteria or efforts the prod team used? Why should we care? Clearly they judged the cast on it's talent and merits as would a paying theatre public. At least they would have an informed opinion of the show as they would have actually seen it - something neither you or I have done. With a mind that closed, probably best you don't get out much for fear of broadening your horizons. - Huey Fri, 27 Nov 2009 23:09:57 +0100 http://www.australianstage.com.au/200910112908/reviews/tasmania/miss-saigon.html#comment-1043 Adam As you said you haven't seen it I think you might hold off on criticism until you have or keep quite. Having seen the show I must say that the cast are so believable in their parts that one looks past the fact that they are not Asian and the audience becomes completely involved in the emotions of the story line. Actually I think this cast are so brilliant in their craft they probably could do the "Colour Purple" and make it believable to the audience. That's what theatre is all about isn't it? making the parts the actors play believable. - Charlotte M James Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:36:59 +0100 http://www.australianstage.com.au/200910112908/reviews/tasmania/miss-saigon.html#comment-1042 I am absolutely shocked having just read this review. To mount a production of MISS SAIGON without a single Asian cast member is not only absolutely disgusting but utterly ridiculous. Is this a joke? I completely acknowledge that casting an ensemble of Asian triple threats in community theatre is difficult, but DON'T DO THE SHOW. There are a thousand other wonderful shows with more flexible casting options. I haven't seen this production, nor will I get to as I live interstate, and therefore I don't wish to discredit the performers, but whether they can sing or act the role isn't important in this instance. I am very supportive of unconventional casting choices (I've seen CHICAGO with an African-American Velma Kelly for example and it was a superb performance), but casting Caucasians in a show that demands Asian performers is absurd. What’s next for the Tasmanian Theatre Unit Trust? The Color Purple with an Australian cast? A Chorus Line with non-dancers? Spare us. - Adam Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:37:31 +0100