“Miss Saigon” Across Contexts: Staging, Reception, and Orientalist Discourses in London, New York, and Singapore

This thesis conducts a comparative analysis of Miss Saigon productions at two internationally recognized theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London (September 20, 1989 – October 30, 1999) and the Broadway Theatre in New York (April 11, 1991 – January 28, 2001). It examines differences in staging practices, institutional and cultural contexts, and audience reception to understand how the same musical adapts to distinct sociopolitical environments. A third, more recent production at Marina Bay Sands Theatre in Singapore (August 15, 2024 – September 29, 2024) is included as a sub-case study to reflect on how Miss Saigon is framed and received in contemporary Asia. The study integrates professional theatre criticism and social media responses to conduct discourse analysis, identifying recurring narratives and audience sentiments. Special attention is paid to thematic issues, such as Orientalism, gender representation, and nationalism, embedded in the production and perception of Miss Saigon. This comparative study offers insights into how global cultural products are localized, reframed, and challenged through theatrical production and public discourse.