Distinctive theatrical masterpiece reimagined
Drawing on the original work by playwright Luu Quang Vu, French director Anne Bouvier, President of the French Association of Theatre Artists, has breathed new life into “Truong Ba's Soul in the Butcher's Body”. Under her direction, the production places greater emphasis on physical expression and the expressive power of acting to portray the conflict between soul and body, highlighting the tragedy of a person forced to live in a body that is not his own.
According to Anne Bouvier, this is the first time she has directed a Vietnamese theatrical work. She said she immediately accepted the proposal upon receiving the script, driven by her interest in Vietnamese culture, spiritual life and the distinctive psychology and character of Vietnamese people. In this production, Bouvier chose to have a single actor portray both Truong Ba and the butcher.
"This approach emphasises the character's internal division as his soul is forced to exist in another body. The conflict between soul and body is thus expressed directly through acting and movement on stage," she explained.
For Vietnamese performers, the new approach to staging also presents different demands on their acting techniques. Actress Bao Thanh, who plays the butcher's wife, said the director required the cast to use body language with greater expressive intensity.
“Vietnamese actors generally place greater emphasis on psychological expression. Therefore, the challenge in this production is finding a balance between physical expression and psychological depth, ensuring that the new approach still preserves the distinctive characteristics of each character,” she said.
Despite its different approach to staging, “Truong Ba's Soul in the Butcher's Body” continues to explore enduring questions of character, human dignity and the desire to live true to oneself. These universal themes transcend linguistic and cultural differences, allowing the work to continue engaging audiences in different artistic settings.
Creating opportunities for cultural and artistic cooperation
Following its performance at Ho Guom Theatre, the play is scheduled to be staged at the Théâtre Marigny in Paris as part of Vietnamese Theatre Week in France 2026, taking place from October 24 to 31.
Under the theme "Encounters – Rencontre", the programme aims to introduce traditional and contemporary Vietnamese theatrical forms to audiences in the French capital, creating opportunities for artists, researchers and the public from both countries to connect.
The initiative was launched by journalist Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and President To Lam, and is jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnamese Embassy in France, Viet Nam's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and Vietnamese and French partners.
Participating institutions include the Viet Nam Youth Theatre, Viet Nam Puppet Theatre, Viet Nam National Traditional Theatre, Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre and Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre Troupe.
Alongside “Truong Ba’s Soul in the Butcher's Body”, Vietnamese Theatre Week in France will feature water puppetry, Vietnamese theatrical heritage, the contemporary dance production “Do”, and a presentation of “Truong Chi” through the perspective of French artists.
Cultural exchanges, seminars and promotional activities will be held at various venues, including the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in France, Théâtre Marigny, Le Grand Rex and Carreau du Temple. A particular highlight will be two performances under the theme “From Heritage to Contemporary”, bringing traditional theatrical forms such as tuong (classical drama), cheo (traditional opera) and cai luong (reformed theatre) together with contemporary dance, opening up new possibilities for carrying forward traditional values through modern forms of artistic expression.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong emphasised that the programme aims to showcase the diversity, distinctive identity, dynamism and creativity of Vietnamese theatre. He noted that having a Vietnamese work staged by French artists is a meaningful experiment, opening up dialogue on theatrical language as well as the differences and similarities in artistic perception.
He expressed hope that encounters among artists, directors, theatres and experts from the two countries would lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation in joint productions, artist exchanges, training, research and the development of new projects. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van affirmed that culture serves as both a foundation and a source of soft power, helping deepen relations between Viet Nam and France, as well as between Viet Nam and UNESCO.
Through its diverse performances and professional networking activities, Vietnamese Theatre Week in France opens up new opportunities for Vietnamese performing arts to gain a stronger presence in international cultural life. Presenting theatrical heritage alongside creative experimentation helps reaffirm the vitality of Vietnamese theatre, promote artistic cooperation and strengthen bonds between the peoples of the two countries.
