Published:  00:00 Tuesday - December 02, 2008

Artists from 13 theatres nationwide have joined together to perform at the first National Festival of Experimental Drama, which kicked off in Hanoi on December 1.

The eight-day festival will showcase 14 performances in a variety of forms, including tuong (classical opera), drama, puppetry and Nghe An folklore.

Organised by the Vietnam Association of Theatre Artists, the festival aims to give theatre directors and artists a chance to exchange experiences. A selection of the best dramas will be sent to the International Festival of Experimental Theatres next year.

“By viewing the dramas presented at the festival, I’m optimistic in saying that Vietnamese stage is changing for the better. Positive signs can be seen not only in script, staging, and performance, but also in stage design, sound and light arrangement,” said People’s Artist Doan Hoang Giang, Chairman of the festival’s artistic board.

According to him, some dramas contain daring topics, which are expected to bring a new trend to the stage.

“In my opinion, most of the dramas to be performed at the festival are very interesting and worth watching. Through the festival we hope to find new methods of expression to attract audiences,” Giang said.

However, only three theatres from the southern region, which is considered a rich land for experimental theatres, have joined the festival. The festival will be organised every two years.