The crew of Người Con Gái Hà Thành (The Daughter of Hà Nội) reformed opera play which will be officially introduced to public on August 13. Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Cải Lương Theatre

HÀ NỘI — A play entitled Người Con Gái Hà Thành (The Daughter of Hà Nội) will be staged as part of the capital's high-quality stage production series to bring traditional art forms closer to the public.

Developed in alignment with the city’s strategic vision for the growth of cultural industries creating artistic products that bear the capital's unique signature, the cải lương (reformed opera) play explores a glorious chapter in the city's history, portraying the women of Hà Nội during the resistance war against French colonial rule.

Người Con Gái Hà Thành tells a story of tragic grandeur and romance, celebrating the patriotism, indomitable spirit and noble sacrifices of Hà Nội’s sons and daughters for the nation's independence and freedom.

Centered on Uyên Thanh, a female intelligence agent, the play portrays a tense battle of wits between revolutionary fighters and the enemy’s sophisticated counter-intelligence apparatus. Amid brutal circumstances in which life and death hang in the balance, the fighters steadfastly uphold their faith, loyalty and revolutionary ideals.

The play also highlights the beauty of Hà Nội's elegant and refined yet resilient and courageous women. They were ready to sacrifice her youth, love and personal happiness for the nation's independence and freedom.

This was not merely a story about a woman in wartime; it also represents a way for contemporary theatre to evoke the proud spiritual values, qualities and traditions of the people of Hà Nội.

The play features experienced crew members such as scriptwriter Nguyễn Toàn Thắng, People's Artist-Director Triệu Trung Kiên, designer-People's Artist Doãn Bằng, musician-People's Artist Đào Trung and choreographer Meritorious Artist Thanh Nam.

It features renowned People's Artist Thanh Hương, Meritorious Artists Hồng Nhung and Quang Tuấn and young talented artists, actors, musicians and dancers from the Hà Nội Cải Lương Theatre.

Their performance is expected to take audiences to a new level of experience by combining the values of traditional cải lương with a modern theatrical language.

The production features significant investment in music, visual design, lighting, movement, and staging, aiming to create an emotionally resonant artistic space that appeals to contemporary audiences while preserving the distinctive characteristics of cải lương.

Organisers said through their significant investment in content, artistry and talented artists, the play aims to revitalise the approach to cải lương and brings historical narratives closer to audiences, particularly the younger generation.

It will also contribute to spreading Hà Nội's culture and history to wider community, creating more attractive cultural space in the city. 

The play made its debut yesterday and will be staged weekly at the Hồng Hà Theatre, No 51 Đường Thành Street, Hoàn Kiếm Ward. — VNS