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Reporter Xiao Caiwei/Reporting from Manila

“Miss Saigon”, one of the four major Broadway musicals, will tour in Taiwan for the first time at the end of May. “ETtoday Starlight Cloud” directly hit the performance scene in Manila, and the actors also took the time to be interviewed. Sean, who plays the role of the pimp “Engineer”, is a queer Filipino. He was very excited to see the Taiwanese media and actively praised: “Taiwan is the first country in Asia to pass same-sex marriage. It is you who let other neighboring countries know that It’s time to move now.”

▲The starring cast of “Miss Saigon”, (from left) Sean, Abigail, and Nigel. (Photo/Provided by Kuanhong Art)

Sean’s enthusiasm for Taiwanese media stems from Taiwan’s progress in gender equality and gay rights, which has further pushed more Asian countries to adopt same-sex marriage. After Taiwan, Nepal and Thailand also successively announced the approval of same-sex marriage. Since the performance will span the entire month of June, Sean said, “I’m very happy to spend Gay Pride Month (June) in Taiwan!” He also asked reporters if there were any special celebrations, and he was shining brightly on the stage. He also said: “I want to express my pride as a queer Asian to the world.”

Among the 42 actors in this version of “Miss Saigon”, 16 are Filipinos, including the heroine “Kim” played by 19-year-old Abigail. Born and raised in Sydney, she was originally a college student who loved acting, and was also a top student studying law. When she learned that legendary producer Cameron Macintosh was going to Australia to hold a casting call, she thought to herself: “This is my dream show, I must go!”

▲Sean, who plays the pimp “Engineer”, is a queer man and shines brightly on the stage. (Photo/Provided by Kuanhong Art)

Originally, they just sent out audition tapes, but when they actually arrived at the audition site, they found that she was the only one auditioning for the heroine “Jin”. Abigail said: “The other actors told me that you have already got this role. Nigel, who plays the male lead “Chris”, also revealed that when she introduced herself as a law student, all the actors’ reactions were “Then what are you doing here?” They were worried that Abigail would give up and have a bright future. of studies.

▲19-year-old Abigail (left) plays the heroine “Kim”. She is a bar girl and meets Chris, a young American officer. (Photo/Provided by Kuanhong Art)

However, Abigail said that performing in “Miss Saigon” is her dream, and law is also her passion. After the performance comes to an end, she will return to school to complete her studies. When asked how to interpret strong maternal love, Abigail said: “I really don’t have the experience of being a mother, but I got a lot of inspiration from my mother. It is known that Asian women are strong and fearless, so the performance I have also been thinking about how to survive with my children.”

▲Abigail had many and fierce kissing scenes with the male protagonist “Chris” played by Nigel in the play. (Photo/Provided by Kuanhong Art)

Abigail had many and fierce kissing scenes with the male protagonist “Chris” played by Nigel in the play, with a total of more than 200 scenes. The 19-year-old said shyly: “I have never kissed someone on stage like that. “But in reality, she already has a stable boyfriend, who has watched more than 10 performances. The actor Nigel said with a smile: “Abigail’s boyfriend and I are still friends. After all, I am a gay man playing a straight man. He doesn’t need to worry at all.”

▲Abigail made many sacrifices for her son in the play, and she admitted that she got a lot of inspiration from her mother. (Photo/Provided by Kuanhong Art)

The three of them were together from Australia to Manila. Because of the tour, they developed a good relationship and a tacit understanding. Sean laughed and said, “Abby is like a sister to all of us, but I may be her mother.” It was also revealed that Abby will come to Taiwan. She celebrated her 20th birthday during the performance, “I want to take her to the Gay Bar to celebrate.” “Miss Saigon” is a hit at the box office, and tickets for the extra show will officially go on sale on the 24th.