(VNF) - In commemoration of the 45^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and Singapore, the the Vietnamese adaption of the "Tale of Bukit Merah" and the Singaporean version of the "Tale of Banyan Tree" were recently performed in Hong Ha theatre, Hanoi.

The play Tale of Bukit Merah (source: Singaporean Embassy in Hanoi)

The two plays, sponsored by the Embassy of Singapore, were brought to the audience on August 6, three days prior to the Singapore's National Day (August 9).

"Bukit Merah" or "Redhill" as most Singaporeans know it, is a popular folk tale that has been adapted as play, dance drama and Chinese opera for decades. Similarly, the "Tale of the Banyan Tree" is a well-known Vietnamese legend. The two performances reflect the close cultural cooperation and exchange between the two countries.

The two plays' scripts were prepared by Doctor Chua Soo Pong from Singapore, and were adapted into the version of Tuong by two Vietnamese artists.

The play "Tale of the banyan tree" (source: Singaporean Embassy in Hanoi)

Dr Chua Soo Pong has been experimenting with different theatrical styles and traditions of South and Southeast Asian countries since his boyhood. He is considered "the torchbearer of Asian theatres".

His works have been performed on nearly 80 international stages in the world. He has attended international stage competitions as juror, performer and chairman in many countries such as Turkey, Iran, India, Indonesia, Japan, Finland, Italy, Denmark, Russia, the US, and Vietnam.

His interest in Vietnamese art was kindled from a meeting with Professor Tran Van Khe in 1978 in UK. From then, Chua started to be in contact with Vietnamese artists, who continued to inspire him to seek an opportunity to work in Vietnam./.

( P.Y )