Vietnamese school musical to premiere at DANAFF 2025

Victoria School students' successful performance at Ho Chi Minh City Theater in April 2025

Before its upcoming performance, the production captivated nearly 1,000 spectators during two successful shows at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater in April. The young actors from Victoria School delivered impressive performances, supported by exceptional stage design, choreography, costumes, and contemporary music, earning widespread acclaim from the audience.

Following their success, Victoria School will now bring The Enchanted Crossbow to the larger international platform of DANAFF 2025, a prestigious event showcasing hundreds of cinematic and artistic works from across Asia.

This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a Vietnamese school’s musical has been officially invited to perform at such a major international festival. The opportunity highlights the growing recognition of school musicals and reflects the rich diversity of Vietnamese arts education, extending beyond classroom learning and film into musical theater.

Developed over several months, The Enchanted Crossbow takes a modern theatrical approach rather than a traditional historical narrative. The production masterfully blends music, lighting, choreography, and emotion to immerse audiences in the vibrant world of Vietnamese folk culture.

Assuming the roles of artistic director and professional sponsor are seasoned artists, directors, and choreographers from the Vietnam Youth Theatre. This esteemed group includes Meritorious Artist Le Anh Tuyet, Meritorious Artist Chi Trung, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Si Tien, Choreographer Nguyen Vu Khanh, and Singer Nguyen Tran Trung Quan, among others.

For its performance at DANAFF 2025, the musical will receive further enhancements in technical production and performance quality, with a dedicated sound and lighting team ensuring a polished stage presentation that meets international festival standards.

VOV