Military Theatre set to stage Russian drama

The Military Theatre will debut a new stage production based on a beloved Russian novel entitled The Dawns Here Are Quiet by Boris Lvovich Vasilyev.

This is the first time the Russian work is to be staged in Vietnam, thanks to Doctor of Art Nguyen Thi Minh Thai.

Thai had been in touch with the Russians who own the copyright of the play and sought permission for its staging in Vietnam.

“Due to my love of drama theatre I tried to contact the Russians, asking them for permission to stage the play,” said Thai. “I believe in high-profile director Le Hung and artists of the Military Theatre, as well”.

Russian novel The Dawns Here Are Quiet is staged by Military Theatre in Hanoi. Photo: zing.vn

Thai is also literature advisor for the stage production.

The Dawns Here Are Quiet by Vasilyev was published in 1969. It was a Soviet bestseller, with 1.8 million copies sold within one year of its publication. It has been adapted for the stage and the screen in Russia, Britain and China.

The work was the first of Vasilyev’s sentimental patriotic tales of female heroism in World War II.

Its being filmed by director Renat Davletyarov last year and was the latest production based on The Dawns Here Are Quiet novel.

The story follows male Russian officer Senior Sergeant Vaskov who is stationed at a remote artillery base during WWII with five female anti-aircraft gunners. Their story focused on how they were conducting themselves during a battle for survival against 16 German soldiers.

The conflicts they were facing were intertwined with their personal individual accounts from before they entered the Soviet Army.

Also, the Hanoi-based theatre’s director, Nguyen Ngoc Thu, spoke of her wish to stage a meaningful drama.

“Political situations are very complicated in the world and in the region, as well. I think the drama will have significance not only for Military Theatre, but also contemporary theatre in Vietnam,” said Thu.

Famed artist Le Hung is the drama’s director. He is one of the veteran stage directors in Vietnam. He made his name by directing many stage works, including those by the world’s masters, such as Macbeth and A Doll’s House.

“The script for The Dawns Here Are Quiet is coming along well. I will include in the play many similar events that occurred during war time in Vietnam,” said director Le Hung.

Artist Minh Tuan will act as the male character in the drama, while female roles will be played by young artists.

The Dawns Here Are Quiet will open in April and be staged as part of Russian Culture Year being held among ASEAN member countries in 2016.