Shadow of the Puppets takes the stage in Hanoi

The Vietnam National Theatre Drama will perform the play Shadow of the Puppets on March 17.
Shadow of the Puppets takes the stage in Hanoi ảnh 1Shadow of the Puppets script was nominated for the 2023 Patrick White Award for scripts, organised annually by Sydney Theatre. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – The Vietnam National Theatre Drama will performthe play Shadow of the Puppets on March 17.

The play was penned by author and art critic Vu Hoang Hoa who currently livesin Sydney. It was officially nominated for the 2023 Patrick White Award forscripts organised annually by Sydney Theatre.

Shadow of the Puppets is a profound meditation on family pain, same-sex loveand the struggle to live as one's true self. In each person, there are alwayshidden corners, deep secrets that they always keep hidden. The tragic story ofan unhappy family opens up human problems throughout society.

The performance uses puppets and puppetry, including the beautiful art of'shadow puppetry'. Puppets and people have blended together on stage, being thecharacter's body and soul, the light and dark sides, the pain and joy beingreleased.

The performance is full of novelty in its expression. From the content to thestaging, they play has a contemporary breath, breaking all traditional theatrerules. For nearly 120 minutes, the performance leads viewers through life'sstages, back to the past, to illuminate the present through beautiful visualdisplays and physical dances that are sometimes lyrical and profound, sometimesturbulent and explosive.

The play’s director Ta Tuan Minh won Director Award at the 2020 TheatreFestival. The play’s producers include choreographer Nguyen Duy Thanh, puppetdirector Le Chi Kien and puppet designer Nguyen Xuan Long./.
VNA

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