The production, which takes over the Bristol Hippodrome until 10th May, has been called
the most complex show ever taken on tour.

Just to move it from one theatre to another costs half a million pounds and takes 26 lorries.

Miss Saigon first premiered in London in 1989.

Since then it has become the third most successful musical in the history of British Theatre, grossing more than £150m.

But it's not just a success here in Britain.

Worldwide it has been performed in 14 countries in eight different languages and has been seen by more than 28 million people.

Love story

Set in 1975 during the final days leading up to the American evacuation of Saigon, the musical is an epic love story about an American GI and young Vietnamese woman.

And backstage a military-style operation also comes into play.

There are 44 members of the cast, a 19 strong orchestra and touring staff of 40 people.

The show uses 375 costumes and 45 replica hand guns, M16s and AK47s.

Then of course there's the life-size helicopter which flies in on a giant hydraulic hoist and is piloted by a radio controlled robot.

Cameron Mackintosh

For the man behind it all, producer Cameron Mackintosh, checking how it's going has meant a short trip up from his home near Wincanton.

He says he is delighted to bring the show to Bristol.

"I'm thrilled. I've been to see the previews to give them the final notes and make sure it all fits perfectly," he said.

"I've always felt this was the most wonderful theatre for the show because it not only has a great spacious stage but it has a tremendous intimacy.

"This is a very epic show but the story at the centre of it is a very human great tragedy."

War

He agreed that the show has an added poignancy amid fears of war with Iraq.

"The show was not written to talk about war,
the central theme is about ordinary people being caught up in extraordinary events, " he said.

"But I think it is particularly poignant at this time.

"Around Yeovilton and Taunton you see the planes going all the time and I know lots of families that have said goodbye to the troops and are praying, as we all are, that there is not going to be a war.

"This could not be a more dangerous time and I think a more timely story."

School days

Cameron is proud of his West Country connections, which include school days at Prior Park in Bath.

Even as a youngster he had a love of the theatre and tried to never miss a production.

"I used to invent a dying aunt so I could come to the first night of a new great musical opening," he said

"The school used to say is somebody ill again?"

And his entrepreneurial flair showed early on as he staged his own school plays.

"I used to go around hiring equipment and putting on my own shows," he said.

"I used to start selling tickets at the beginning of the autumn term for a grand Christmas spectacular that I would host."

Advance sales for Miss Saigon in Bristol have reached a record three and a quarter million pounds already - but there are still tickets left.

It can be seen at the Hippodrome from 4th February - 10th May.

Find out more about Miss Saigon

with our picture gallery