THE soul-stirring sound of a whirring helicopter filled the auditorium at Bingley Arts Centre, causing the hairs on the backs of arms to stand up.

This was the dramatic introduction to Stage 84's powerful production of Miss Saigon, an integral part of the theatre school's 30th anniversary year.

This is the scaled-down schools' edition of the epic musical set against the turmoil of the Vietnam-war. Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed production recently returned to the West End stage for the show's 25th anniversary - but it still packs quite a punch.

Bringing Puccini's heartbreaking opera Madame Butterfly to a modern stage, Miss Saigon is the tale of a young nightclub girl, Kim, and an American soldier, Chris, who meet in the bar where she works and instantly fall in love.

Before long, the pair are separated by the fall of Saigon and Chris returns to America, leaving Kim desolate - and with a child.

Miss Saigon was Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's follow-up success to their hit Les Miserables, which was Stage 84's sell-out production last year.

Judging by the impressive standard of performance, set design, lighting, sound and choreography, woven together under Craig Winward's slick direction, Miss Saigon looks set to be another triumph.

The show opened with a backdrop of striking video footage and the action raced along, all entirely sung by a talented young cast.

Emily Wright, 16, and Billy Bryant, 17, revealed a maturity beyond their years, with powerful performances.

Emily was heartbreaking as Kim, consumed by grief and yearning for her lost love, and Billy was equally moving as tormented Chris.

Cracking performances too from Joseph McDonnell as sleazy opportunist nightclub boss Engineer, and Matt Boyle, Harry Wainwright Little, Lauren Whiteley and Felicity Binns

A lively visual feast, and a poignant tribute to the human spirit.

Runs until Saturday.