The British contemporary dance company Candoco makes its debut
performance in Hanoi in the night of September 29 to kick off the
Great Week – which aims to showcase the best of the UK in Vietnam.
Founded in 1991, the company consists of both disabled and non-disabled artists.
Their performance in Hanoi Opera House will be opened by an act
presented by four Vietnamese disabled children from the Nghi Luc Song
(The Will to Live) Centre and artists from the Youth Theatre. The
act will be choreographed by Candoco in the days prior to the show.
This opening piece – called “choreographic residence” – is an idea
initiated by the company as they tour the world and create opportunities
to bring changes in the perception of, and association with,
disability. Moreover, disabled participants gain a huge sense of
achievement, pride and confidence through taking part in the
performances.
Among eight Candoco artists coming to Vietnam,
three have physical disabilities. Together they will showcase special
contemporary dances, including Studies for C, Set and Reset/Reset,
and Imperfect Storm.
After the debut show, Candoco will
also take part in the international dance festival “Europe Meets Asia in
Contemporary Dance” in Hanoi.
The artists then will travel
to Ho Chi Minh City where they will present their repertoire at the
city’s Opera House on October 3. In addition, they will also conduct a
dance workshop for street and migrant children in collaboration with
SOUL Academy.
Alongside the Candoco’s performances, the
Great Week will also present a film festival dedicated to British
comedies. The cinema event will take place in five of Vietnam’s
major cities from September 30.
The film collection to be
presented includes Local Hero (1983), A Private Function
(1984), The Witches (1990), Four Weddings and a Funeral
(1994) and Shaun of the Dead (2004). The films will be screened in
Hanoi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Can Tho and Da Nang – where
for the first time outdoor showings will be organised in the rural
district of Hoa Vang.
The British Council Vietnam’s country
director Chris Brown said: “The UK has a great tradition of comedy –
it is fun and carries some powerful messages at the same time.”
“Many of our selections are classics. They are great and timeless. We
want to share them with you instead of just keeping them for ourselves.”
All shows are free and tickets can be collected from
September 25 at the following address: In Hanoi, at the British Council,
20 Thuy Khue Street; in Hai Phong, at the External Relations
Department, 15 Tran Quang Khai Street, and the MegaStar Thuy Duong Plaza
on Le Hong Phong Street; in Da Nang, at the MegaStar Vinh Trung Plaza
on Hung Vuong Street; in HCM City, at the British Council, 25 Le Duan
Street; in Can Tho, at the Ninh Kieu Cinema, 91 Vo Van Kieu Street.-VNA