PUCCINI IN DISGUISE

Miss Saigon is Browser’s pick for Friday — page 8

Miss Saigon 8.45pm beIN Movies Festival

CRITICS gave rave reviews to this unusual movie, which is a theatrical experience. It’s a two-and-a-half hours live performance at the Prince Edward Theatre, London, in September 2014.

Since 1989, this smash hit production has played almost continuously for 25 years in the West End, on Broadway and theatres across the world.

Opera buffs will be keen to see Miss Saigon because this is really Puccini’s tragedy Madame Butterfly in disguise.

The tragic love story has been transferred from Japan in 1904 to Saigon during the Vietnam War. The emotion of Puccini’s soaring arias has been retained, with the addition of some more raucous material by Claude Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil to give the atmosphere of a Saigon bar.

The essence has been preserved of Puccini’s true story of US Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton who has a child by a Geisha girl. In Saigon the heroine is called Kim, superbly sung by Eva Noblezada, while her lover is Chris, an American GI sung by Alistair Brammer.

The Daily Telegraph called it: “The most thrilling, soaring and emotionally stirring musical with magnificent performances.”

Best of the rest (All films TRNC local time)

The New World. 2005 historical drama. In 17th century Virginia, Captain John Smith alias Colin Farrell is captured by Indians and falls for Pocahontas. 4.40pm beIN Movies Stars ✰✰✰✰ Georgia Rule. 2007 comedy. Headstrong teenager Lindsay Lohan is banished to the home of disciplinarian grandma Jane Fonda. 4.55pm beIN Movies Comedy ✰✰✰ Oz The Great And Powerful. 2013 fantasy. Con-artist James Franco meets a beautiful witch in a magical land. With Mila Kunis. 5.15pm beIN Movies Family ✰✰✰

Collateral. 2004 thriller. Hitman Tom Cruise is on assignment in LA, with Jamie Foxx as his independently minded taxi driver. 5.50pm beIN Movies Action 2 ✰✰✰

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. 2004 Oscarwinner. Jim Carrey has memories of girlfriend Kate Winslet erased from his mind. 7.45pm beIN Movies Stars ✰✰✰✰ Forrest Gump. 1994 sentimental drama. Multi Oscarwinner. Tom Hanks is a dull boy who finds wealth and some happiness. 8.15pm beIN Movies Comedy ✰✰✰