VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam Youth Theatre will perform at the Vientiane Performing Arts Festival 2016 that will be held from January 29 to 31 at the National Culture Hall.

Actress Minh Trang in Dream of Happiness. — Photo courtesy of Viet Nam Youth Theatre

The five Vietnamese artists who will participate in the festival are Duy Anh, Huong Thuy, Minh Cuc and Minh Trang, besides director Bui Nhu Lai who will lead them.

The artists' two performances will be La Rung (Falling Leaves) and Giac Mo Hanh Phuc (Dream of Happiness) set to music.

Director Lai reworked the pieces, which were parts of a performance series prepared by veteran director Le Hung about 10 years ago.

"I shortened the pieces, making them easier to understand," Lai said. "I want the audience to see the philosophical meaning in the physical performances."

Lai and his young actors spent a month and a half rehearsing for the performances in Vientiane.

"I hope the Vietnamese pieces will be a highlight of the festival and that the audience likes our performances," Lai said.

He will speak about his experience in direction spanning about 10 years and his desire to bring theatre closer to the audience at a workshop that will be held at the festival.

"It is a good chance for me to study theatre models from different countries in the region. I want to set up contemporary shows that comprise various art genres," he said.

Lai has attended regional art festivals in Thailand and Cambodia.

Falling Leaves tells the story of a female worker who sweeps fallen leaves in a park. She also cleans the statue of a couple. Time passes and the woman grows old and dies. The statue of the couple comes alive and they put flowers on the woman's grave, expressing their gratitude.

The woman's role will be performed by actress Huong Thuy.

Another woman in Dream of Happiness has a dream while she takes a rest in her working day. In her dream, she meets her ex-boyfriend. Actress Minh Trang's performance will be about the woman dreaming about a happy family.

Each act will be about 15-minute long.

The Vientiane Performing Arts Festival 2016 is being held for the second time by the Khaoniew Theatre Group with supporting by the Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, Vientiane Municipality.

The festival is expected that through the cultural and professional activities and exchanges in the field of performing arts among participating artists are promoted, as well as opportunities to enjoy various performing arts among local people will increase.

VNS