Vietnamese stage makes its mark at ATEC 2026

Participating in the 8th Asian Theatre Schools Festival (ATEC) 2026, held from May 17th to 22nd in Beijing (China), the play Pygmalion by the Theatre Department of the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film won the Outstanding Play award, leaving a deep impression on international friends.

The play Pygmalion by the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film won the Best Performance award at the 8th Asian Theatre Schools Festival 2026. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

The 8th Asian Theatre Schools Festival (ATEC) Awards Ceremony 2026 was held on the afternoon of May 22, 2026. With the theme focusing on the author George Bernard Shaw and his plays, the Festival brought together many leading theatre schools from Asia and internationally, such as: the Central Academy of Drama (China); the Shanghai Academy of Drama (China); Chung-Ang University of the Arts (Korea); Chungwoon Academy of the Arts (Korea); the National Academy of the Arts Singapore; the Mongolian Academy of the Arts; the Mexican Academy of Theatre and Film; the Hong Kong Academy of Theatre and Film (China)…

At the festival, the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film presented Pygmalion, a play by the renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw, directed by Dr. Bui Nhu Lai, Meritorious Artist, and directed by Master Duong Thi Thanh Huyen.

The performance made a strong impression on international audiences. (Photo: Organizers)

Written in 1912, Pygmalion tells the story of the encounter between flower girl Eliza Dolletti and phonetics professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering. Eliza decides to study with Henry Higgins to correct her regional accent, hoping to become a lady...

However, the work does not simply convey Eliza's journey of vocal and physical transformation, but rather shows her gradual affirmation of her own value. Therefore, although Pygmalion reflects a pressing issue in early 20th-century England, its modernity remains relevant today, as its humanistic message about the desire for change, self-improvement, and liberation from invisible limitations and prejudices remains perfectly relevant.

The creative team adapted the work to Vietnamese culture using various theatrical techniques. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

What's interesting about the performance is that the creative team didn't try to retell the original work in a classical European style, but instead aimed to Vietnamese-ize it through various theatrical techniques, creating a cultural dialogue between East and West. While still set in London, and retaining the names of the characters and dramatic situations from the original, viewers can feel the familiar rhythm of Vietnamese life and culture reflected in the stage design incorporating Dong Ho paintings, Vietnamese music , folk dance, Ha Dong silk costumes, and the dialogue and acting of the performers.

The performance of Pygmalion by actors from the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film at ATEC 2026 left a strong impression on international audiences, contributing to the promotion of traditional Vietnamese culture in the context of integration.

Young actress Nguyen Minh Tra, playing the role of Eliza Dolletti, won the Best Actress award at the festival. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Along with the Excellence Award for the play Pygmalion, young actress Nguyen Minh Tra, in the role of Eliza Dolletti, also won the Excellence Award at the Festival. This is a remarkable achievement for the innovative efforts of the production team, affirming the effectiveness of the school's training, and also showcasing the unique identity of Vietnamese theater on the international art stage.

TRANG ANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/san-khau-viet-ghi-dau-an-tai-atec-2026-post964197.html