Lê Hương

South Korean artists are working closely with their counterparts at the Việt Nam Drama Theatre to stage a unique revolutionary opera.

The main creative team, including director, scriptwriter, music composer, stage designer and choreographer, comes from South Korea.

Titled 'Coffee and Bánh Mỳ', the musical highlights the significant contributions of the petite bourgeoisie class in the resistance against colonialism.

The original script was written by Seo Sang Wan, with Lê Trinh from the Việt Nam Drama Theatre collaborating to verify and revise it.

The story is set just days before the historic August Revolution in 1945.

Regarding the opera’s title, Director Cho Joon Hui shared that coffee and bánh mì are well-known foods in Việt Nam, which he often heard about on the radio in Korea.

To him, they represent the image of the Vietnamese people. The silent, unnamed citizens are also the main characters in the musical, which indirectly pays tribute to President Hồ Chí Minh.

"President Hồ was a great man and the Vietnamese people are also great in their desire for independence and freedom. That’s why I wanted to create a musical about the nameless, silent heroes, the great people themselves.

South Korean and Vietnamese artists work in a rehearsal. — VNS Photo Lê Hương

"The challenge is how to express President Hồ’s spirit through ordinary people, through the anonymous soldiers. That’s why I chose the title Coffee and Bánh Mì," Cho told Việt Nam News.

“The process of staging the opera has faced many difficulties, the greatest of which even today continues to be the language barrier and cultural differences. Throughout this journey, patience and mutual empathy have been essential. These challenges still exist, which makes the work demanding.”

Cho said the team have gained a wealth of experience and new perspectives, along with meaningful exchanges about Vietnamese people and culture.

“Thinking positively, we see the performance gradually taking shape. One major challenge remains: the very short rehearsal time. Since this is the first public performance, we hope future opportunities will allow us to do even better,” he said.

People’s Artist Lâm Tùng, co-director of the opera noted that Vietnamese team must acknowledge the efforts of South Korean friends who came here for this production and cultural exchange.

“They've worked tirelessly, rain or shine, for two whole months,” he said. “Their dedication is truly admirable and deeply appreciated in this collaboration.”

Vietnamese artists have adapted to the guidance of South Korean directors. — VNS Photo Lê Hương

Tùng said his South Korean partners bring a fresh and different approach compared to what they are used to in Việt Nam.

“The Vietnamese artists have quickly adapted to their passionate guidance,” he added. “With strong support from the leadership of the Việt Nam Drama Theatre, we’ve been able to overcome all challenges.”

This production also marks the first time the Việt Nam Drama Theatre has worked on a full-scale opera.

According to Park Hyun Woo, the opera's art director, the theatre has never used certain artistic techniques.

“For example, in this musical, we’re working with a live band instead of using pre-recorded tracks,” he said. “In terms of lighting, the theatre has traditionally relied on static effects, but we’re now incorporating dynamic lighting to create a more immersive and realistic experience for the audience.”

A custom-built stage is also being designed especially for this production, replacing the theatre’s usual modular setup.

This opera will debut on August 15 to mark a meaningful cultural exchange and celebration of the August Revolution and the 80th National Day of Việt Nam. — VNS

They have overcome numerous language and cultural differences to facilitate smooth collaboration. — VNS Photo Lê Hương