“The Reed Flag Emperor” puppet show by Thang Long Puppet Theater – Photo: Thang Long Puppet Theater
The Hanoi Open Theater Festival 2024 is jointly organized by the Vietnam Theater Artists Association, Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, and related organizations. This biennial event aims to enhance the capital’s cultural and artistic values while educating and promoting patriotic traditions and the revolutionary heritage of thousand-year-old Hanoi, its Party Committee, government, military, and people throughout their journey of struggle, development, and growth as the heroic capital and City for Peace.
The festival features 11 outstanding works from theatrical organizations in the capital and other regions nationwide, including central professional theaters, Hanoi-based armed forces units, and professional art organizations from neighboring provinces and cities. The participating works present clear themes, ideas, and content, vividly reflecting various aspects of Vietnamese society, country, and people.
The festival takes place at multiple venues: Dai Nam Theater (89 Hue Street, Hai Ba Trung District), Cong Nhan Theater (42 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem), Youth Theater (11 Ngo Thi Nham, Hai Ba Trung District), Vietnam Puppet Theater (361 Truong Chinh, Thanh Xuan), and Thang Long Imperial Citadel Water Puppet Stage (19C Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh). All performances are free for Hanoi theater enthusiasts.
Hanoi Drama Theater opens the Festival with “The Empty Space”
The opening ceremony takes place on November 1, 2024, at Cong Nhan Theater, 42 Trang Tien, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi. Following the ceremony, Hanoi Drama Theater will open the festival with “The Empty Space” by Nguyen Anh Bien, directed by People’s Artist Nguyen Trung Hieu.
The play tells the story of a turbulent love triangle involving intellectuals. To maintain their reputation and peace for themselves and their families, they suppress their feelings to accept and respect each other, settling for a precarious, calculated, and deceptive happiness. The production features well-known artists from Hanoi Drama Theater, including Merited Artist Quang Thang, Ngoc Quynh, Thanh Tung, Thuy Duong, Xuan Hong, Thuy Anh, and Huyen Thach.
Following “The Empty Space,” on November 2 at 10 AM at Dai Nam Theater, Vietnam Reformed Theater will perform “The Half-Closed Door,” and in the evening, Hai Phong Cheo Theater will present “Ho Xuan Huong.” Additionally, Dai Nam Theater will host Hanoi Cheo Theater’s “The Ca Tru Singer” on November 6 and Hanoi Reformed Theater’s “Ly Thuong Kiet” on November 7.
“The Ca Tru Singer” – Hanoi Cheo Theater’s festival entry – Photo: Hanoi Cheo Theater
On November 3, at the Army Theater, the Military Cheo Theater will perform “General Vo Nguyen Giap.” On November 4, at 11 Ngo Thi Nham Theater, the Youth Theater will present “He’s Not My Father,” followed by Bac Giang Cheo Theater’s “Suburban Waves” on November 6 at 9:30 AM, and Lucteam Stage’s “Exposed” on November 8 at 2:30 PM.
At 8 PM on November 5, Thang Long Puppet Theater will perform “The Reed Flag Emperor” at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel Water Puppet Stage. On November 8 at 8 PM, Vietnam Puppet Theater will present “Thang Long Imperial Citadel” at their theater at 361 Truong Chinh.
Reporter