In the ongoing run of blockbuster musical Miss Saigon over at Marina Bay Sands’ Sands Theatre, there’s something very special about the cast that’s to be celebrated – the presence of not one but two Singaporean cast members who take to the stage and show that there is indeed a future for Singaporean performers, if you dream big and work hard for it. In that sense, Miss Saigon acts as a bit of a homecoming for both Louisa Vilinne, who alternates in the lead role of Kim, and Shannon Cheong, who’s part of the ensemble and covers for the role of Thuy (Kim’s cousin and betrothed).

While Miss Saigon is best known for its haunting score, emotional narrative and epic special effects, it’s also a musical significant for featuring a large number of roles for actors of Asian descent, within a Western world where it’s still difficult to find space to fit minority actors onstage. And because of its success, in part no doubt thanks to composers Schönberg and Boublil (also the minds behind Les Miserables), it continues to be one of the best opportunities for Asian actors to make their star turn and gain exposure in the wider world, and who knows – may well bring both Louisa and Shannon even more opportunities to come.

We spoke to both Louisa and Shannon, as they shared more about their experiences as part of the show, and their reflections on being professional artists who still call Singapore home, where even as they set their sights for success overseas, a part of them will always remain here in our sunny island. Read the interview in full below:

Bakchormeeboy: What were your experiences or knowledge of Miss Saigon prior to coming onto this production, and have you appreciated/ or learnt anything new since coming onboard and touring?

Louisa: Miss Saigon was the first show that made me believe that Asian people could play lead roles in musicals. One of the main themes of this show that resonates deeply with many Asians is the quest for a better life that requires leaving your home country. Our Miss Saigon company spent the first few weeks of rehearsals researching the Vietnam War and discussing our family stories and that was really the first time I truly reflected on my family history. As a “three time immigrant” — my great grandparents moved from China to Indonesia for a better life in 1930s, my parents moved from Jakarta to Singapore to escape political unrest in the 90s, and I moved to Australia in 2019 for a shot at my dream of becoming an actor — I am eternally grateful for all the sacrifice my parents and ancestors had to make so that I can chase my dreams today.

Shannon: Right before this production of Miss Saigon, I was actually doing another production of it at White Plains Performing Arts Centre just north of NYC. I’m very grateful to have been able to learn the legendary and iconic gun dance after having seen it been done then. I’m also reminded consistently of why representation is so important in this industry every time I do a show where there are more than a couple of Asian cast members with me.

Bakchormeeboy: Miss Saigon toured to the Philippines before this – how does it feel to be performing in Asia again? How different are Asian audiences compared to Australian ones?

Louisa: It feels incredibly special to be performing in Asia, especially at home in Singapore. While it is very cool that I made my professional musical debut as Kim at the Sydney Opera House, it does not hold the same sentimental value to me compared to my Australian colleagues as I grew up in Singapore. It is a dream come true for me to be playing the lead role on the MBS Sands Theatre stage with Miss Saigon.

Shannon: It definitely hits a little differently performing the show in Asia, knowing that we were once those little Asian kids in the seats looking up at the actors and actresses that were our role models, it allows us to give back to our community to be the role model for the newer generation. Being the face to let them know that this is possible if we keep striving for it.

Bakchormeeboy: How do you keep yourself healthy, both physically and mentally, and prepared for the show, especially considering how demanding it can be?

Louisa: I have found that the best way to stay healthy is to make my daily routine similar to the ones I have when not on tour. That means eating healthy, practising yoga, staying hydrated, sleeping well, making time for friends and hobbies. I’m very lucky that we’re currently in Singapore, as I can spend time with my family and hang out with my Singaporean friends, which gives me a social life outside of work. 

Shannon: The gym is definitely a big factor, weight training and cardiovascular training all come together in the show. But also, having a routine to get into character and a routine to de-role from the character helps with your mental psyche and health. This show is a pretty big show emotionally so having those routines in place really help keep our mind and heart safe.

Bakchormeeboy: Louisa, you were in Singapore Repertory Theatre’s Young Company and did Forbidden City in 2017. Could you both share how your time growing up in Singapore influenced your decision to become artists?

Louisa: Growing up in Singapore, I was raised to believe that performing professionally is not practical or achievable at home, you were only good enough if you could train or work professionally overseas. As it did not seem remotely possible that I could become a musical theatre actor, I studied Arts Business Management at Ngee Ann Polytechnic instead; I thought if I couldn’t be on stage, at least I could work backstage. 

After graduating from polytechnic in 2016, I still couldn’t shake my desperate desire to perform. So I auditioned for LASALLE in 2017, got in, but decided against it because I was scared of becoming a starving artist. However, I still couldn’t get performing out of my head by 2018 so I auditioned again, got in, and did a semester there. In 2019, I was invited to study at the University of Adelaide with a partial scholarship. I knew it was my last shot at this career path so I took it. It was only when I was training overseas that I felt people took my aspirations seriously, and I was finally proud to say I was studying to be an actor.

Shannon: I’ve always tried to stand out and take the road less travelled from a very young age. Back when I left Singapore, acting and music were definitely not big possibilities, but that fired my passion even more and allowed me to dream, and dream big. I would say even now, the pull for art in Singapore is still not as strong as the pull for sports – take a look at how musicians constantly have to be an opening act for international artists, or go overseas for gigs if they wanted to make it work. It’s honestly quite sad to see the lack of support that the arts receive from local national brands while being champions of our sporting partners.

Bakchormeeboy: Overseas, can it be difficult to land roles outside of productions that specifically call for Asian cast members?

Louisa: I have been very fortunate to be employed in shows consistently from November 2022 when I graduated from university so I can’t say for sure. I do know that the musical theatre industry in Australia is very competitive regardless of what you look like, and that audition briefs encourage people of diverse backgrounds to apply. I know of many Asian performers who are currently working in shows and many of my euro-Australian classmates from uni who still have not booked any musicals since graduating.

Shannon: It’s definitely always going to be harder for Asian people to book roles in shows that don’t specifically call for Asian actors. This is why we always need to work extra hard to allow us to shine and stand out even more than our colleagues. When a show that showcases Asian talents come around, we need to come together and support our Asian cast members so that more Asian stories can be told in the future. We need to change how society perceive Asian faces and the stereotypes that follow so that we can continue to tell different stories in the future.

Bakchormeeboy: Due to its smaller industry and large pool of talent, do you feel that Singapore is limited in terms of the opportunities offered, especially when it comes to musical theatre?

Louisa: I am not familiar with the musical theatre scene in Singapore as I have not lived here for 6 years — however I have asked my friends in the theatre industry here about what life would look like if I worked here instead. They shared that while more musicals are being staged in Singapore, the performing seasons are short and local theatre companies are mostly not for profit and therefore cannot pay as well as shows overseas. As such, many performers are unable to make enough income just from performing locally and need to have “survival jobs” as their main rice bowl. 

Shannon: There’s definitely less opportunities for musical theatre in Singapore mostly because of the amount of space that can put up a musical. There are smaller theatres that have popped up around Singapore which would do better for smaller musicals but a mega musical like Miss Saigon would be pretty difficult to fit into these theatres and that’s why you would find less varieties of musicals in the local Singapore industry.

Bakchormeeboy: How significant or relevant do you feel Miss Saigon is still today? Why should audiences be excited for it?

Louisa: Unfortunately, war has been a continuous part of human history, even in the last century till today, which makes Miss Saigon still relevant. Miss Saigon is still one of the only musicals that guarantees a majority Asian cast, and I find that exciting as it challenges the stereotype in Singapore that we Asians are better off in white collar jobs.

Shannon: Miss Saigon’s relevance is still palpable in today’s climate. In the show we see relationships and families being torn apart because of war which mirrors the climate of today. Beyond the bloodshed lives are being ruined and Miss Saigon showcases this. It’s not very often that you see Asian faces on such a massive stage or screen. In Miss Saigon, you see almost 20 Asian performers singing, acting, and dancing; serving big slaysian energy, to quote Seann Miley Moore, who plays the Engineer in our production. And that’s why I think Singapore should be excited to see Miss Saigon.

Miss Saigon plays from 15th August to 15th September 2024 at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Tickets available here