General director of the art show, Nguyen Quang Vinh, admitted that the screenplay for the show had been initiated in 2000, but it had taken until now to turn the piece into reality.

The show, entitled General Vo Nguyen Giap and the Dien Bien Symphony, consists of 12 excerpts, combining theatrical and cinematic features to reflect 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 but instead feature blood-like liquid, real soil and 1.5 tonne artillery pieces.

He further said that the show would last for three hours, with the last two minutes the pinnacle of the piece, when the General and other military officers directing the Dien Bien Phu Campaign receiving the news of total victory from a soldier. All the artists share the stage at the happy conclusion.

"We have tried our best to highlight a great personality through very simple and likeable characters," Vinh said, "The audience will have a chance to gain a more profound 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 fulfil the task, 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 some previous theatrical shows.

The play will also feature other important figures including French Generals Henri Eugene Navarre and Christian de Castries.

The show, which will take place at 8pm on May 28 in Dong Hoi City, will be broadcast live on Vietnam Television’s VTV1./.

Source: VietnamPlus