Philip Quast leads an interactive workshop session with young participants at Hanoi Westminster School, focusing on expression, movement and stage connection. — Photos thethaovanhoa.vn

HÀ NỘI — The fifth return of Australian musical theatre legend Philip Quast to Việt Nam in this summer is more than a homecoming of a celebrated performer.

Instead, it signals a more meaningful shift – from standing under the spotlight to guiding a new generation towards it.

At nearly 70, the three-time Laurence Olivier Award-winning artist has chosen a quieter, yet arguably more impactful role – educator, mentor and bridge-builder between global standards and local aspirations.

His participation in the YOUnique Bootcamp, held from June 15 to 26 at Hanoi Westminster School, reflects a deliberate effort to plant the seeds of musical theatre where it is still taking root.

For young Vietnamese participants aged 10 to 18, the programme offers more than training in singing, dancing or acting. It becomes a journey of self-discovery, where performance is not just about technique, but about learning to listen, express and connect.

New role

The legendary performer delivers an emotional moment on stage during The Road I Took concert in Hà Nội, blending storytelling with music in an intimate setting.

Quast’s growing connection with Việt Nam has unfolded steadily over recent years. What began in 2023 as a teaching engagement has since expanded into a broader role encompassing performance, training and community building.

His involvement in productions such as Shrek: The Musical helped elevate local staging standards, while his concert The Road I Took in Hà Nội, part of the Culture in You series, left a lasting impression. On a minimalist stage, Quast guided audiences through milestones of his career, blending storytelling with musical depth.

Yet beyond the applause, the concert opened up a space for exchange. Young Vietnamese performers shared the stage, marking a rare intersection between international artistry and local talent.

With each visit, Quast has gradually come to embody what many describe as a cultural bridge, bringing the spirit and discipline of global musical theatre closer to Việt Nam, while nurturing the confidence of its emerging artists.

Global craft

Best known for his iconic portrayal of Javert in Les Misérables, a role demanding both vocal precision and psychological depth, Quast represents a level of artistry shaped by decades of experience.

As a faculty member of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), he brings with him a pedagogical approach refined within one of the world’s leading performing arts institutions.

At YOUnique Bootcamp, organised by The YOUniverse, this approach is translated into hands-on learning. Rather than beginning with theory, students are immersed in real performance scenarios – building characters, understanding narrative structure and developing stage discipline through practice.

“We don’t start with theory, but with experience,” said CEO Thanh Lê.

“When young people truly engage and challenge themselves, their growth becomes both faster and deeper.”

This fusion of international expertise and experiential learning creates a rare environment – one where global standards are not abstract ideals, but lived experiences adapted to the Vietnamese context.

Long vision

A scene from Shrek: The Musical showcases the immersive, practice-based training approach promoted by The YOUniverse, where students learn through real performance experiences.

Seen in a broader context, YOUnique Bootcamp is not an isolated initiative. It forms part of a longer-term vision by The YOUniverse to cultivate a musical theatre ecosystem in Việt Nam.

From workshops and school-based programmes like ARTventure to large-scale productions, each step contributes to making musical theatre more accessible and familiar to younger audiences.

Within this evolving landscape, Quast plays a symbolic yet practical role. While his presence brings credibility and inspiration, it is the continuity of local training programmes that ensures lasting impact.

His return, therefore, goes beyond the narrative of an individual artist. It reflects a wider movement in which Việt Nam is investing in cultural education, talent development and international collaboration – key pillars emphasised in Resolution 80 issued by the Communist Party of Việt Nam on building and developing Vietnamese culture and people to meet the requirements of sustainable national development.

As the final sessions of the bootcamp unfold, what remains is not just improved technique, but a shift in mindset among participants.

For many, this summer may not lead immediately to stardom. But it offers something more enduring: the courage to explore, the discipline to grow and the confidence to step onto their own stage, whatever form that may take.

In that sense, Quast’s return is less about revisiting past glory and more about shaping what comes next. — VNS