Artists of the Hanoi-based private drama stage Le Ngoc are working on new plays to serve audiences in HCM City in April and May. Their shows celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification on April 30. — Photo courtesy of the producer

They will stage Dế Mèn (Cricket) about love and youth and Làm Vua (The King) about historical events. 

Dế Mèn is adapted from late author To Hoai’s Dế Mèn Phiêu Lưu Ký (The Adventures of the Cricket), a popular book for children since its release in 1941 in Hanoi. 

The play tells the adventures of a young cricket who faces challenges to discover the world. 

The play’s director Nguyen Tien Dung will use visual and sound effects to enhance Dế Mèn. 

“Our actors will introduce a wonderful show of music, dance, circus and puppetry,” said People’s Artist Dung, who is also the director of the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre. 

“We’re happy to offer dramatic plays in Hanoi style for people and children in HCM City,” he added. 

Làm Vua is a historical production by director Le Qui Duong, who has 20 years' experience in the industry. 

The play features King Dinh Tien Hoang, founder of the Dinh dynasty and kingdom of Dai Co Viet, in the period of 968 and 1054. 

It focuses on the King's relationship with royal family members. His love with his wife, Queen Duong Van Nga, is also included. 

The two plays star People’s Artist Le Ngoc, founder of the theatre, as the leading roles. Young actors Chau Sa and Van Hai are also featured. 

Le Ngoc Drama in 2013 began working under the Vietnam National Drama Theatre. The theatre reopened and became the first private theatre in Hanoi in 2016.

The theatre has offered nearly 200 shows, mostly works featuring the culture and lifestyle of people in Hanoi. 

The theatre has attended international theatre festivals in Japan, China, South Korea, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. Its actors won prizes at the ASEAN-China Theatre Festival in 2016 and 2018. 

Last year, its play called Cây Tre Trăm Đốt (The Bamboo with 100 Internodes), based on a Vietnamese folk tale, was a hit. The work highlighted Vietnamese lifestyle and moral values. 

First shows of Dế Mèn and Làm Vua will be staged at 8pm on April 30 and May 1 at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Son Square, District 1. Tickets are available at the box office and website sankhaulengoc.com. 

VNS

Drama troupe offers new shows in Hanoi style

Le Ngoc Drama, one of Hanoi’s leading private theatres, will offer a series of new shows at HCM City’s Opera House next week.