Play «Lạc Ở Đáy Sông» (Lost at the Bottom of the River)

   For more than a decade, an old man has drifted the river searching for the body of his wife, swept away by the current. He has pulled up countless drowned strangers but never her - until the day he believes he finally has, and uncovers something far worse. That's the premise of «Lạc Ở Đáy Sông» (Lost at the Bottom of the River), the new production at Hoang Thai Thanh.

   Directed by Ái Như, with Công Hiển as assistant director, set design by KimB and staging by Rambo Min. The cast brings together Thành Hội, Meritorious Artist Tuyết Thu, Ái Như, Hoàng Thái Quốc, Phương Trâm, Kỳ Thảo, Nguyễn Long, Tấn Đạt, Hoài Thương, Khánh Duy, Hồng Duyên, Tuyết Minh, Phi Long, Tường Vi and Bá Phong.

   Only two dates in October: the Sunday 4 October show has already taken place, and the remaining one is Saturday 17 October at 7pm. Tickets start at 280,000₫, non-refundable once bought.

   This is a heavy psychological drama about waiting, loss and a truth buried at the river's bottom - for audiences who want serious theatre, not comedy. It runs in Vietnamese with no subtitles. As an adult play, the theatre asks that children under 6 not attend; over 6, they need their own ticket.

   Worth catching if you already know Hoang Thai Thanh's taste for family tragedy - this one adds Meritorious Artist Tuyết Thu to the regular ensemble. The venue is a 4th-floor black box at 139 Bắc Hải; with just one performance left this month, book ahead.