This musical took the heartbreak of Puccini's Madame Butterfly and made it even more devastating by placing it in the heart of the Vietnam War. A critically-acclaimed darling since its '80s debut, Miss Saigon is now touring the UK but here's why you should see it (and sob in the process).

1. It's Madame Butterfly's Edgier, More Modern Cousin

Puccini's classic opera followed a young Japanese woman abandoned by her American naval officer husband, only to have him return years later with a new wife. Creators of Miss Saigon, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schnberg (the same dream team behind Les Misrables), asked: what if we told this tragic love story in the middle of one of the most explosive periods of the 20th century Vietnam, 1975? The result was art as emotionally traumatic as the time it was set in but that's the point of Miss Saigon. It's supposed to break you.

2. The Helicopter Scene Is Legendary

If you know Miss Saigon, you know the helicopter. It's one of the most famous stage effects in musical theatre history, long before the likes of The Lion King and Stranger Things: The First Shadow wowed us with modern effects. When the Americans evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, a life-size helicopter descends onto the stage rotors spinning, lights flashing and chaos erupting. It might not be real, but a combination of projection, lighting, and strong fans makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the Vietnam War.

3. It's a Love Story Born in a Brothel

Kim and Chris meet on Kim's first night working as a bar girl in Dreamland, a club owned by the morally skewed Engineer. It's not your average fairytale romance, but an intriguing setting nonetheless and perhaps a sign of the chaotic, short-lived love that is about to ensue.

4. Tam: The Child of War

Kim and Chris's son, Tam, is what the Vietnamese called bui-doi a heartbreaking term meaning "dust of life." It was used to describe children fathered by American soldiers and abandoned in post-war Vietnam. Now there's a history lesson!

5. It's a Global Phenomenon

Since premiering in London's West End in 1989, Miss Saigon has played in over 25 countries and been translated into 12 languages. The original production ran for 10 years in the West End, making it one of the longest-running musicals in history. The Broadway version followed in 1991 and took home three Tony Awards.

6. It Was Lea Salonga's Big Break

Lea Salonga was just 17 when she was cast as Kim in the original production. Not only did she win an Olivier Award for her West End performance, she later became the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award. And yes she also went on to voice Princess Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan (Mulan) for Disney. Icon status? Confirmed.

7. It's Sung-Through

So pay attention! There's barely a spoken word in Miss Saigon. It's what theatre folk call a "sung-through" musical more like an opera than your standard song-and-dialogue format. That means everything you need to know is in the lyrics. So no zoning out during ballads unless you want to miss some serious plot twists!

8. The Engineer: Love Him or Hate Him

The Engineer is one of the slipperiest, sleaziest, and most fascinating characters in musical theatre. He's part villain, part comic relief, and all ambition. His big solo, "The American Dream," is a glitzy fever-dream of capitalism, and it's certainly something to behold.