Cuban children's theater troupe performs in Vietnam for the first time

On the evening of August 26, at the Ho Guom Theater ( Hanoi ), the Cuban Children's Theater Troupe performed the musical "Cinderella... in the style of The Beatles."

The event was organized by the Ministry of Public Security and Ho Guom Theater, to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations (1960-2025).

Attending the program were Politburo member, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang; Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh.

Also attending were representatives of leaders of ministries, departments, central agencies and Hanoi city; representatives of the Cuban Embassy and embassies and international organizations in Vietnam.

Vietnamese and Cuban delegates attending the program. (Photo: Pham Kien/VNA)

A representative of the Ho Guom Theater said that this is the first time “Cinderella… in the style of The Beatles” has been performed in Vietnam and was directed by Carlos Alberto Cremata Malberti, with the participation of children from the Cuban Children's Theater Group.

The musical retells the familiar fairy tale “Cinderella” from the witty perspective of four little mice, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star, who live in Cinderella’s basement - the characters who transform into the band The Beatles.

The show blends fairy tale elements with the world of pop music, taking the audience on a journey through the Beatles' timeless songs such as "Help!," "Let It Be," "Because," "Twist and Shout," "Here Comes the Sun" ... remixed in traditional Cuban music.

When attacked by the ferocious cat “Aircraft Carrier,” the four mice panic and sing “Help!”; the invitation to the Royal Ball is delivered to Cinderella by the postman “Mr. Jude Postman;” the Prince’s bodyguard is “Bungalow Bill;” the two stepsisters are “Piggy” and “Dizzy Miss Lizzy;” the fairy godmother is “Mary;” and the magic spell is sung to the immortal melody “Let It Be.”

Every detail reminds us of a song or character in the world of The Beatles, creating a dramatic situation, bringing laughter, and making the audience excited when they recognize the familiar melody.

A performance at the program. (Photo: Pham Kien/VNA)

The fairy godmother transformed “Let It Be” into a lively Son (a traditional Cuban musical genre, a precursor to salsa); “Because” was performed in the slow, conversational Guaguan (a musical and dance form of Cuban rumba).

Sometimes the Cuban children sing solo, sometimes they just listen to The Beatles, but mostly it's a combination of the children singing lead, The Beatles singing backup and vice versa...

Towards the end of the musical, everyone repeats The Beatles' famous motto: “You get as much love as you give.”

On stage, people danced to “Twist and Shout,” singing “Here Comes the Sun.”

At the end of the play, the delegates and artists sang together traditional Cuban songs and the song "As if Uncle Ho were here on the great victory day" ...

With a unique combination of fairy tales, the legendary music of The Beatles and the colors of Cuban music, the musical “Cinderella… in the style of The Beatles” brings the audience an artistic experience that is both intimate and humorous, imbued with the spirit and culture of Cuba.

The Cuban Children's Theatre Group (La Colmenita - The Little Beehive) was founded in 1990. To date, the Group has toured in more than 25 countries around the world.

In 2007, La Colmenita was the first children's art group to be honored by UNESCO as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

In 2010, the Group established a Symphony Orchestra and was also nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.

In 2022, La Colmenita and its founder were awarded the First Class Félix Varela Medal - Cuba's highest honor for a cultural institution.

Through art projects, the Group has brought Cuban children and their artistic creations to international Theater Festivals.

Not only selling tickets, La Colmenita also brings the stage to disadvantaged families, giving equal space to all children, including children with motor disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, Down syndrome, cancer, cerebral palsy or many other health problems.

With the philosophy of “Art for All,” for many years, La Colmenita has become a symbol of art for the community, where joy, solidarity, discipline, and the spirit of humanity and sharing are nurtured and spread.

A representative of Ho Guom Theater said that this art program is one of the special cultural exchange activities, part of a series of events celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations, contributing to further tightening the traditional friendship between the two countries./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lan-dau-tien-doan-kich-thieu-nhi-cuba-bieu-dien-tai-viet-nam-post1058163.vnp