For the first time legendary General Vo Nguyen Giap will be the main character of an art performance on May 28 gathering 300 artists from across the country in Dong Hoi City, in the central province of Quang Binh.
The general director of the performance, Nguyen Quang Vinh, said that the screenplay for the show had been initiated in 2000, but it had taken until now to turn it into reality.
The show, entitled General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Dien Bien Symphony, consists of 12 excerpts, combining theatre and cinematography to illustrate the role of General Giap in the historic Dien Bien Phu victory over the French in 1954.
Vinh said the stage would dispense with traditional theatrical forms and instead feature blood-like liquid, real soil and 1.5 tonne artillery pieces.
He also said that the show will be three hours long, with the dramatic climax in the last two minutes when the General and other military officers receive the news of absolute victory from a soldier. All the artists will the stage for the joyous conclusion.
"We have tried our best to highlight a great personality through very simple and likeable characters," Vinh said, "The audience will gain a deeper understanding of General Giap\'s military decisions during the campaign."
Trinh Mai Nguyen and Khuong Duc Nhuan have been chosen to play the role of General Giap. To research their character, both actors visited the General\'s home province of Quang Binh many times in order to learn the local accent.
Nguyen has played the General in previous theatrical shows.
The play will also feature other important historical figures including French Generals Henri Eugene Navarre and Christian de Castries.
The show, which will be performed at 8pm on May 28 in Dong Hoi city, will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television VTV1.
