Vietnam Stages Musical Depicting Child Soldiers During Wartime

A musical titled 'Tuổi thơ dữ dội' (Turbulent Childhood), based on the novel of the same name by author Phùng Quán, is being staged in Vietnam, drawing significant audience attention. The production retells the story of child scouts during the early resistance against the French, interwoven with the perspective of contemporary children learning about history. The narrative centers on Minh (played by Nam Anh), a boy who joins the scout team while searching for medicinal herbs to cure his ailing mother. Initially unaware of the meaning of 'scout,' Minh gradually integrates into the unit, eventually serving as a 'living map' to guide operations against the enemy. However, he becomes entangled in a comrade's betrayal, is falsely accused of being a spy, and tragically faces his mother's death. The work not only highlights Minh's personal tragedy but also celebrates the qualities of the child scouts of the Việt Nam Vệ Quốc Đoàn, such as the strong and sincere Tư Dát, Quỳnh Sơn Ca who boosts team morale and spreads hope through music, and the brave young Lượm. Director Lê Ánh Tuyết chose to focus on Minh's storyline from the novel's vast narrative to construct an emotionally rich tale. While the original work is set in Huế, the musical incorporates Huế folk songs in segments depicting Minh's longing for his mother. Casting young actors, some fresh graduates, presented a significant challenge for the production team. The music, stage design, and lighting are distinctive features of the play. Approximately 10 songs were composed by An Hiếu, Deputy Director of the Military Symphony Orchestra. The music flows throughout, encompassing a range of emotions—sadness, joy, intensity, and romance—aiming to bring history closer to the audience. Particularly notable is the song 'Đường rừng nhớ mẹ' (Forest Path Remembering Mother), which deeply explores Minh's inner world as he reminisces about his days with his mother amidst the war. This pop ballad section, placed after intense combat scenes, evokes strong emotions in viewers. While audiences have praised the set design, the actors' energy, and the emotional arc of the music, some have expressed a desire for greater dramatic climax in the script. Nevertheless, the team's effort in adapting the novel has been widely recognized. The musical is part of the 'School Theater Project,' a collaboration between the Việt Nam National Youth Theater and Kim Đồng Publishing House. The initiative aims to foster a love for art, develop creative thinking, and impart lessons on love and responsibility towards family and community. 'Tuổi thơ dữ dội' was conceived in 1968 and completed in 1986, earning the Vietnamese Writers' Association's Children's Literature Award in 1990. It was also adapted into a film of the same name in 1989. In 2012, the novel received the 'Sách Hay' (Good Book) award, solidifying its status as a significant work in Vietnamese literature. Source: VnExpress