A scene from Bạch Đàn Liễu play directed by Trần Lực. — Photo facebook LucTeam

HÀ NỘI — Theatre director Trần Lực with his work Bạch Đàn Liễu (Eucalyptus) has won the best director of the 4th Hà Nội Theatre Festival.

The play by late playwright Xuân Trình was made last year by Lực as a part of a national seminar about the playwright. 

Set in a rural northern village in 1968, the play focuses on human rights and democratic reform against those abusing their power. 

Through a love story that begins and ends in the presence of the eucalyptus tree, the writer conveyed a message about the corruption in rural areas. 

Lực made good use of the author's message that is still an unsolved problem in today's society in the production. 

"The play was penned nearly 50 years ago but its significance makes the audience think," said veteran director Trần Minh Ngọc at a awarding ceremony last weekend in Hà Nội. 

"The play is shorter but it's spirit and the author's convey are highlighted. The story is still suitable for Party building and administration strengthening to serve the people's interests."

Trình wrote the play after his field trip to a rural area. It was based on a real story. The play was staged once in 1973 by Việt Nam Drama Theatre and then it was censored. 

The original play was about three hours long and was shortened to 75 minutes in the new version. 

Playwright Trình (1936-1991) was awarded a State Prize for Literature and Arts. 

"I believe that the play won the audience's heart with a convincing plot," said Lực. 

"At present, there are few plays with anti-corruption themes. The playwright's message is meaningful that if we want to build a developed society, we have to erase those using personal advantages to earn private benefits and group benefits."

Born to an artistic family, Lực's grandfather is writer Trần Tiêu and his father is one of the most popular chèo (popular opera) playwrights, Trần Bảng. 

He has won awards including Best Actor at the 10th Việt Nam National Film Festival in 1993 and Silver Lotus at the 11th festival in 1996. 

He also won the Best Director award at the 2nd Hà Nội Theatre Festival in 2016.

The Hà Nội Theatre Festival was held by the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports and Việt Nam Theatre Artist's Association as a part of activities to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of Thăng Long – Hà Nội. — VNS