The legendary Miss Saigon is in cinemas for one night only. This spectacular, sell-out 25th Anniversary Gala Performance of the global stage sensation also features appearances by the original cast including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga. With Hugh Maynard’s outstanding performance in the role of John.

The Daily Telegraph as has described this acclaimed new production as:
“The most thrilling, soaring and emotionally stirring musical with magnificent performances”
And the Daily Mail described it as “the greatest musical of all time”

The epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with with American GI Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

Hugh Maynard plays John Thomas in Laurence Connor’s critically-acclaimed revival of Boublil and Schönberg’s classic musical melodrama. As best friend to the show’s protagonist Chris, Hugh embarks on a character journey that takes him from rough-and ready G.I. to representative of an aid organisation that reconnects Bu-doi (Vietnamese street children) with their American fathers.

There’s a very significant parallel between Hugh’s fictional role as a protector of abandoned children and his real-life story. He’s spoken out about it to raise awareness of the charity he works with, Action For Children.

Hugh Maynard pretty much stops the show with “Bui Doi” – the anthem to all the forgotten children who become illegitimate casualties of war

Hugh Maynard (John) who delivers just what the audience want and more with his beautiful rendition of ‘Bui Doi’

Hugh Maynard reprises the role of John, which he performed in the 2004 UK tour, and opens act two with a stunning and soul stirring rendition of Bui Doi, which could’ve lasted for a good hour in itself and the audience would’ve lapped it up.,

Hugh Maynard reprises the role of John that he previously played in the first and second national U.K. tours of Miss Saigon. He was most recently seen in the tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. His West End credits include Sister Act and the original cast of The Lion King.

Hugh Maynard is commanding as John and he dispatches Bui Doi the opening number of the second act with great skill and compassion…

West End Star Hugh Maynard, left his home town of Torbay, South Devon, for the bright lights of London to pursue his love of acting, singing and dancing. Having trained at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) and Arts Educational Schools, Hugh has worked across the board in television, music and theatre.

While studying at Arts Ed, Hugh was chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company to play the principal role of Simon Zealotes in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Since then Hugh has continued to have a successful career in London’s West End with LION KING, NOTRE DAME de PARIS, FOLLIES, DANCING IN THE SREETS, and SISTER ACT.

2004 saw Hugh undertake the character of John in MISS SAIGON for the first time and to date is the youngest person in the history of the production to have been given the privilege of playing this role.

As the sixth member of TENORS OF ROCK (TOR), Hugh has enjoyed UK, European and American success. Having performed concerts around the world, Hugh was proud to perform with TOR as part of the 2012 World Olympic Games concert. Their debut single, Brothers In Arms, reached No.20 in the official UK rock chart holding Bon Jovi off the spot. (for a whole week)

Also this year, will see the release of Hugh’s self-titled debut album. Hugh Maynard: Something Inside So Strong. See more at: www.hugh-maynard.com & @hughmaynard

Hugh is delighted to be reprising the role of John in Cameron Mackintosh’s highly anticipated new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s MISS SAIGON in 2014.

Hugh’s Musical Choices And Influences

The genre of music I like best has to be Motown and Soul, such as Marvin Gaye, early Ike and Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and if thinking of more contemporary musicians Tina Turner, Phil Collins, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey – all these artistes have had a strong influence on me because not only are they hugely talented, but they also have great voices. Other more recent influences include the talented Brian Mcknight, Bruno Mars, Lionel Richie, Jamie Fox and Stevie Wonder through the ages – These have all been inspirational and helped to shape my contribution to music.

Other inInfluences in terms of my career have included Donnie McClurkin, I also really like the way Alan Menken writes, although he is famous for Disney he is also very spiritual. I like songs that take you somewhere and inspire you, so for instance going back to Alan Menkin – I love ‘ Go The Distance’ sung by Michael Bolton.

Hugh’s Talent

Its hard to say when I knew that I did have a talent – even today I don’t see what is special about my voice; but I do love singing; its a way to get my feelings and emotions out – I think that’s the connection I make with people who enjoy my music, I think I’ve been doing that since I was 11 years old when I was hanging out of the attic window singing ‘Where Is Love’ from Oliver – poor neighbours! But I do like slow songs it enables me to really feel the words and to convey emotion through music – at heart i’m a real balladeer.

Career wise I look up to Jamie Foxx, Cupid Junior, and people such as Luke Evans with whom I have worked on stage. He has been really successful, however, even though he has achieved he is still an everyday guy who is ‘down to earth’, that’s what I would aspire to in my career – right now I am in the top 1% of my field but I don’t want my personality to change and I want to achieve a balance between my family, friends and my work.

Hugh’s Musical Highlights

I love to travel and my music has given me numerous opportunities to perform in many countries and to have the opportunity to work with some amazing people. The Countries I’ve performed in include Asia, America, Europe, Singapore, Japan, China, Macaou, Jakarta, and Bali as well as Scotland and many gigs in Wales…. A highlight i would say was on Java island in Bali with my cousin Barbara; we were looking around a theme park called Taman Mini which is a miniature village showing the layout of Jacarta. We met a youth group; one of whom engaged us in conversation wanting to know who we were and what work I did, within minutes I had a microphone in my hand and began singing a beautiful Indonesian love song called Bukan Cinta Biasa; almost immediately the quadrant had filled with children and young people with their parents, youth workers and other visitors to the park, they were waiving in unison as though they were at a concert. We had only gone there to check out the miniature scale of Indonesia and it turned into a Hugh Maynard concert – it was an amazing and fantastic experience.

Another highlight was playing in Las vegas with the Tenors of Rock; we were the only band to have played so many venues in such a short time in Vegas – we invited Pricilla Presley and were totally delighted that she accepted our invitation. She felt we were ‘infectious’ (in a good way I hope…) She was a lovely demure lady – we felt we were truly blessed.

Hugh’s Advice To Young People Who Want To Achieve Success In The Music Industry

Success is measured on so many different levels. I think its about focus and commitment and about believing in yourself and what you are doing. If you are lucky like me, having the support of even one person makes a huge difference; to be able to talk with that person about your dreams helps you on the journey. I really feel the luckiest guy in the world because my voice has enabled me to travel around the world; in fact that is the reason I have travelled around the world, audiences have welcomed me – i’m lucky and I have been blessed, I have a year in Miss Saigon and I may get a second year and if not i’ll go where my voice leads me.

Hugh was abandoned by his mother at just a few weeks old. He spent the first eight years of his life in and out of residential care and foster homes. Hugh moved to permanent foster carers aged eight years old, they moved to Torbay, and with the love and support of the family and of a wealth of close and caring friends, Hugh was helped through his formative years until successfully achieving a scholarship to University and Drama School.

Hugh made his West End debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar playing Simon. Since then he has appeared in the Lion King, Notre Dame de Paris, Follies, Dancing in the Streets, Sister Act and he was cast as John in the original tour of Miss Saigon.

Hugh has enjoyed success touring the UK, Europe and America singing with the rock group the Tenors of Rock. Hugh also performed at the 2012 London Olympic Games concert and he sang with the Tenors of Rock on the X Factor series in 2013 reaching the judges home stage with Gary Barlow.

Hugh Maynard is delighted to have the opportunity to reprise the role of John in Cameron Mackintosh’s highly anticipated new production of Miss Saigon which opened on Saturday 3rd May 2014 at Prince Edward Theatre, London.

Hugh was the youngest person ever to play the part of John in the original touring production of Miss Saigon in 2004.
‘Hugh is absolutely one of the best people who ever played this role.’ – Cameron Mackintosh

In addition to his highly successful acting, singing and dancing career, Hugh’s TV credits include Wycliffe and The Bill.

He is also a great cook, talented athlete and accomplished photographer. Hugh’s passion is music and he has spent most of his working life in the music industry. However, in the early days whilst studying and preparing for drama school he spent time working in fast food outlets, employment as a lifeguard, he modelled sports wear, and he has also worked in a language school.

Today Hugh lives in Lincolnshire and when not acting or singing, he supports children through local charities and he is an supporter for disabled children with the charity ‘ACTION FOR CHILDREN.’ Hugh also delivers key note presentations at seminars for professionals who work with children and young people where he uses his own experiences to advise participants how to help young people develop resilience in the face of trauma and difficult experiences.