The novel “Sorry, I’m Only a harlot” by Chinese writer Tao Ding is set to be performed at the Hoa Binh Theater in Ho Chi Minh City next month.
The Chinese author has allowed the local V.Art Company to turn her well-known book into a stage drama. It is the first time a Vietnamese company has purchased the copyrights of a foreign publication to convert into a theater production.
Writer and translator Trang Ha, who translated “Sorry, I’m Only a harlot” into Vietnamese, helped V.Art transform the novel into a stage script. The local company has now invested more than VND3 billion (US$15,000) in the project.
The play was originally scheduled to debut on March 12, but V.Art pushed back the date to allow for more rehearsal time and to improve its lighting system.
The company even created a stage in Binh Thanh District of the same dimensions as the Hoa Binh Theater in order to hold more rehearsals over the past two months, said Director Hoang Vu who also serves as V.Art’s general director.
Mr. Vu says he methodically and strategically planned the project ahead of time and carried out research on test audiences to see how they reacted. V.Art also has ambitious expansion plans for the future, Vu added.
The play features local artists including Viet Anh, Cong Ninh, Tu Trinh, Thanh Hoang, Huu Nghia, Hoang Son, Cat Tuong, Quy Binh, Ngan Khanh, and Lan Phuong to name a few.
“Sorry, I’m Only a harlot” is now set to debut on April 3 with tickets costing up to VND1 million (US$50).
After HCMC, the play will be performed in Hanoi and Da Nang before heading to the US. Following its initial tour, the production will show regularly at the 5B Theater in HCMC.
