South’s premiere of Miss Saigon

Director Nicci Hopson said: “Following on from our previous Young Actors productions of Les Misérables, Parade and We Will Rock You, Miss Saigon is the ideal choice for 2012. This classic love story which is set during the turmoil of the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 brings passion, emotion, drama, and stunning show-stopping musical numbers from the creators of Les Misérables.”

Pictured are:Tara Lucas, Ariel Drama Academy Burgess Hill student, aged 17 and William Cary Lucas, Ariel Drama Academy Burgess Hill, aged 15.

The show runs from September 24-29; tickets on 01342 302000 or visit www.miss-saigonse.co.uk.

Nicci added: “Miss Saigon tells the dramatic and compelling story of the tough love of the American soldier Chris and Vietnamese girl Kim in the magical Saigon.

“Miss Saigon School Edition by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (the creators of Les Misérables), along with Richard Maltby Jr, brings Puccini’s Madame Butterfly to the modern world in a moving testament to the human spirit and a scathing indictment of the tragedies of war.”

Earlier this year Nicci and Neil Hopson, directors of Ariel Company Theatre, were invited to a youth production at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End to watch pupils at Dauntsey’s School in West Lavington perform Miss Saigon.

“It was an incredible evening,” Neil said. “We were so impressed how the show had been adjusted to make it perfect for youth groups to perform, and were delighted to be granted the rights. We cannot wait to audition and start to work on this production.

“Nine years ago producers Cameron Mackintosh were similarly impressed with the school’s production of Les Miserables, letting them perform a concert version of the show at the Prince Edward Theatre in Old Compton Street. Since then, many youth theatres have enjoyed performing it.”