Young actress Yến Thanh plays the iconic Esmeralda in the Vietnamese version of the French musical Notre Dame de Paris. Photo courtesy of the theatre

HCM CITY — Young artists with the HCM City-based Chợ Lớn Troupe will enact on a new version of the French musical Notre Dame de Paris starting next week. 

The new Vietnamese version will be produced and directed by Thanh Thuỷ, one of the city’s prominent theatre directors. 

Thuỷ’s play is based on the famous novel by Victor Hugo, set in 15th century Paris. 

Her work uses some elements from the musical Notre Dame de Paris composed by Richard Cocciante with lyrics by Luc Plamondon that debuted in France in 1998. 

Quách Bình will play Archdeacon Frollo, Khal Võ will take role of Quasimodo, while Yến Thanh play the iconic Esmeralda.

Thuỷ said she was confident that  “my version of Notre Dame de Paris will dazzle theatre lovers with its costumes, choreography, music and lights.

“Our young artists will offer the Vietnamese version of Notre Dame de Paris in the southern style. I believe they will make musicals popular among local audiences.” 

Young artists of the private Chợ Lớn Drama Troupe will present a new version the French musical Notre Dame de Paris . The show is produced and directed by Thanh Thuỷ. Photo courtesy of the theatre

The Chợ Lớn Drama Troupe was founded in 2020 by People’s Artist Hồng Vân, who is also its art director. It has attracted 15 young actors who are graduates of leading art schools in the city, like the HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography and HCM City University of Culture. 

The Chợ Lớn Drama Troupe has attracted 15 young talents who have graduated from leading art schools in the city. Photo courtesy of the theatre

It has already presented three new plays, including Ngẫm Kiều (Song of Kiều), a musical based on the 18th-century Vietnamese epic poem Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều),  recognised as one of the country’s top literary works. 

Ngẫm Kiều was first staged in late December, 2020 and several times last year. 

“We want to promote and develop love for the theatre among young people, who can learn new things about history, culture and traditional lifestyles through our shows,” said Vân, who has 30 years of experience in the industry. 

The Vietnamese version of Notre Dame de Paris will be staged every Sunday starting on April 17 at the Phú Nhuận Cultural House, 70-72 Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Street, Phú Nhuận District. — VNS