HÀ NỘI — Extracts from popular Russian stage productions will be performed by final-year students of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Hà Nội and Vũng Tàu from April 11 to 14.

The repertoire includes extracts from Heart of A Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov, Uncle Vanya and A Boring Story by Anton Chekhov and Fear and Misery of the Third Reich by German Betolt Brecht, along with Russian folklore dancing and singing. 

Heart of A Dog is a biting and wildly inventive comedy by Bulgakov. A world-famous Moscow professor is rich, successful and violently envied by his neighbours. He resolves to achieve a daring scientific first by transplanting the testicles and pituitary gland of a dead man onto a dog. But the results are wholly unexpected; a distinctly and worryingly human animal is on the loose, and the professor’s hitherto respectable life becomes a nightmare beyond endurance.

Uncle Vanya is Chekhov’s loved and perhaps his best composed play. The play portrays the visit of an elderly professor and his glamorous, much younger second wife, Yelena, to the rural estate that supports their urban lifestyle. 

Two friends, Vanya -- brother of the professor’s late first wife, who has long managed the estate -- and Astrov -- the local doctor -- both fall under Yelena’s spell. Sonya, the professor’s daughter by his first wife, who has worked with Vanya to keep the estate going, has unrequited feelings for Dr Astrov. Matters are brought to a crisis when the professor announces his intention to sell the estate, Vanya and Sonya’s home, with a view to investing the proceeds to get a higher income for himself and his wife.

The artists will also perform folklore dances and songs at the show. The 19-member art troupe comes from the GITIS, which is not only the greatest in Europe, but also one of the most prestigious schools of drama in Russia and the world. 

GITIS was formed in 1878 and continues to develop to this day. The professional educational institution provides training in every art form, such as acting, design, directing and musical theatre, as well as ballet-master, variety theatre, history and criticism, along with theatre management and production.

The performances are being organised by the Russian Science and Culture Centre in Hà Nội with financial support from Vietsovpetro, Sungroup, Haseco and Việt Nam-Russia Bank as one of activities on the occasion of Việt Nam hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum 2017. 

The Russian performances will have an introduction in Vietnamese. The performances will begin at 7pm at the Hà Nội Academy of Theatre and Cinema on April 11 and at the Việt Nam Youth Theatre on April 12. The performance will be on stage at Vietsovpetro Building, No67, 30/4 Road in Vũng Tàu City. 

Please contact the Russian Science and Culture Centre on 501 Kim Mã Street, Ba Đình District in Hà Nội or call 04 3771-99-37 for ticket information. — VNS