Shakespear's Hamlet will be performed at Ha Noi Opera House on November 3. — photo nhandan.com.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — The Viet Nam Drama Theatre will present a new version of the classic Hamlet on November 3 at the Ha Noi Opera House.

The play is directed by veteran artist Anh Tu, who has included the traditional xuan pha dance of the northern Thanh Hoa Province in his work.

Director Tu has watched xuan pha many times and the traditional art form has impressed him.

"There are many versions of Hamlet across the world, but I like none of them because the characters seem to speak too much and act too little," Tu said.

"Monologue is crucial in classic plays, but I think it is also important to have the audience both listen and watch," he said.

Tu invited choreographer Hoang Hai from Thanh Hoa Sing, Dance and Music Theatre to train actors in performing xuan pha.

"Xuan pha is a traditional dance featuring five pieces. Only one piece will be performed in Hamlet," Hai said.

The xuan pha dance will be performed in the first scene of the play. It will also be performed in a scene that shows an art troupe invited by Prince Hamlet to entertain the royalty.

Four main actors -- Ta Tuan Minh, Trung Anh, Phuong Nga and Quynh Hoa –will perform in the two-hour adaptation of Shakespeare's play.

Veteran designer Doan Chau has set up a very simple but changeable stage with wooden props, while the music has been produced by Giang Son.

The play marks the return of the Viet Nam Drama Theatre, a leading theatre in Viet Nam that performs the world's masterpieces.

Hamlet is the first of several classics that will be performed by the Viet Nam Drama Theatre. — VNS