Private theatre offers French drama

FRESH ADAPTATION – Young artists of the private Hồng Hạc Drama Troupe will act in a Vietnamese version of Toutes ces choses qu’on ne s’est pas dites by French writer Marc Levy. — Photo courtesy of the theatre.

HCM CITY — The Hồng Hạc Drama Stage will introduce a taste of France by offering new versions of works by Honoré de Balzac, Catherine Arley and Marc Levy.

Eugénie Grandet is an experimental play on money and love adapted from novelist and playwright Balzac’s novel Eugénie Grandet released in 1839.

The Vietnamese version is written by Việt Linh, who is talented and well-known in both theatre and movies. She is also a founder and art director of Hồng Hạc Drama Stage.

Linh’s play is about a wealthy but miserly Felix Grandet whose deeds lead to tragedy for his daughter Eugénie and himself.

It brings messages about the hypocrisy and shallowness of wealthy people and how money controls their lives.

It stars young artists Lê Chi Na, Thanh Tuấn, Lương Mỹ and Hồng Đào in leading roles.

The play’s director Tây Phong has worked to perfect his production with beautiful costumes, choreography, music, lighting and visual effects.

Other new plays adapted from writers Arley and Levy are À cloche coeur released in 1981 and Toutes ces choses qu’on ne s’est pas dites released in 2008.

The two Vietnamese versions feature a taste of French theatrical plays.

TALENTED THESPIAN – Young actress Lê Chi Na (left) plays a lead role in Eugénie Grandet in the Vietnamese version adapted from Honoré de Balzac’s novel. — Photo courtesy of the theatre.

The private Hồng Hạc Drama Stage began in 2015. Its owners, Linh and theatre director Phạm Hoàng Nam, and young actors have worked hard to offer experimental shows with new concepts and techniques.

“Live theatre evokes physical, emotional and social reactions; and helps young audiences develop a healthy appreciation of culture and the arts,” said Linh, in an interview with local media before opening Hồng Hạc Drama Stage.

Linh, 70, began her movie direction career in 1971. She studied in the Russian State Institute of Cinematography for five years before working for the State-owned Giải Phóng (Liberation) Film Studio in HCM City in 1985.

Her films have been shown in Russia, France, Australia and the US.

Her most popular works are Chung Cư (The Residential Building) released in 1999 and Mê Thảo Thời Vang Bóng (A Glorious Time in Mê Thảo Hamlet) released in 2002. These won top prizes for best film, actor and actress at national film festivals.

Hồng Hạc Drama Stage’s new plays will be staged on weekends in December at the Thanh Niên Theatre, 4 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street, District 1. — VNS