Theatre arts: Old worries in the ‘new normal’

Hanoi (VNA) - The reopening of theaters has brought about not only a great joy to audiences and artists, but also many anxieties about economic and safety problems.

Audiences, artists feel eager

As soon as theaters were allowed to reopen in Hanoi, Dang Ngan Ha eagerly followed the show schedule to buy suitable tickets. Her mother is 70 years old and loves watching plays. After more than 9 months, she and her mother, a theater lover, could finally participate in their favourite activity.

During the temporary shut-down of theaters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ha watched the online plays, but she affirmed nothing can replace the excitement that she has for live performances.

“Sitting among the audience, I can even hear the artist sigh when expressing inner feelings of the character. Thanks to that, I am able to experience the play to the fullest. Enjoying art at the theater is the best thing for both the artists and the audience,” Ha said.

From insiders’ perspective, People's Artist Le Ngoc said that her troupe are very happy and excited. Her Le Ngoc Theater is also one of the first units that have quickly organised performances to serve the audience as soon as the policy was issued.

“We received a lot of messages from the audience asking about our official schedule. They express their love for our plays and longing for going to the theater to see them. It is an infinite source of joy and encouragement for me personally and our artists,” Ngoc said.

She unveiled that within a week, all tickets for her theater’s five shows in Hanoi have already been sold out.

Nguyen Thi Thuy Hien, director of the People's Public Security Theater, said that artists of the theater have always been ready for performing.

Other units have also carefully prepared for the day when their stage lights are on. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theater plans to run its traditional water puppet performances every Saturday night, while the Youth Theater is about to thrill its audiences with a series of plays such as ‘Ong khong phai la bo toi’ (He is not my father), ‘Nguoc chieu gio’ (Go against the wind), “Cuoc chien virus,” (Virus fight) and “Cai ao lang” (The village pond).

The Vietnam Drama Theater will stage the unique comedy “Ngheu, So, Oc, Hen” from March 4-8 at No.1 Trang Tien street, downtown Hanoi.

Director of the theater Xuan Bac said that despite the complicated developments of the epidemic over the past time, the theater’s artists practiced in different ways and were always ready for the day when the stage is lit up.

Worries remain

Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of the Vietnam Water Puppet Theater, said that in addition to excitement, theaters are also facing many worries about reopening.

“Not only artists are worried about the epidemic situation, but the audience is also afraid of crowded places. Although they really want to go to the theater to enjoy the arts, they are worried about the risk of infection. Theaters need to follow the 5K measures in order to create the peace of mind among the audience," Dung said.

He also said that people also have many worries about the economy, life, the study of their children. Only when those thoughts are cleared, they could think about enjoying arts, Dung added.

“Art units have faced many difficulties in the past two years. Now, if they want to perform again and ensure the safety of the audience, they need to take preventive measures, such as providing hand sanitiser and masks, and conducting quick COVID-19 tests for spectators. Such costs become a burden to theaters” said Tong Toan Thang, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Circus Federation./.