The contemporary dance performance "The Toad Sues Heaven" makes its debut at a historical site.

It begins with a "fairy tale" retold in a new way.

On the evenings of October 18th and 19th, the public in Hanoi enjoyed the contemporary dance performance "The Toad Sues Heaven," performed by Kinergie Studio, as part of the Inclusive Arts Project, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Hanoi and the Hanoi Association of People with Disabilities.

Once upon a time

There were five droughts... I mean, five droughts.

There were years of flooding.

Heavy rains and floods

Root rot

Mold is rampant.

Twilight

No sun visible.

Oh my god!

"Where did the sun go? Why isn't it shining?"...

That seemingly humorous opening segment is choreographer Minh Hai's way of introducing a "rainy" version of the folk tale "The Toad Sues Heaven." She has transformed the "drought" theme of the ancient story, replacing it with "floods" and "waterlogging," as a metaphor for the prolonged heavy rains and flooding in Northern Vietnam this year.

Inspired by Vietnamese folklore, "The Toad Sues Heaven" is an adaptation of the familiar story of the Toad, along with the Crab, Bear, Tiger, Bee, and Fox, journeying to Heaven to "sue Heaven" for a prolonged drought. The work transforms the story into the language of movement and music, and the harmonious interplay of diverse bodies on a communal stage. The blend of these artistic elements creates a powerful emotional flow, transcending the barriers of ordinary language.

The image of "cracked fields and barren vegetation" is interpreted abstractly, becoming a symbol of the dryness in life, the barriers or "cracks" in social connections. It is from these cracks that the premonition of "the return of the rains - the flow of life" begins, giving rise to the absurd yet hopeful journey of the Toad and his friends.

Sharing with Travellive reporters about the reason for choosing this folk tale as creative material, choreographer Minh Hai said: “When rereading folk tales, I found 'The Toad Sues Heaven' very suitable, in a very instinctive way. I only set two criteria: to create a work based on a folk tale and to perform it in a community setting. Everything else came about by chance. The idea just appeared in my head, without any prior planning.”

Director and choreographer Minh Hai has guided the audience along a stream of hope, where life emerges from shared encounters and journeys. She skillfully conveys profound reflections on human life into a "moving picture," where bodily differences become an endless source of inspiration, breaking down all preconceptions about performance ability. For her, the practice of movement is a method of holistic development of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, clearly demonstrated through her deeply contemplative works.

Bringing experimental art into groundbreaking spaces.

The most distinctive aspect of the event was the choice of Kim Lien Temple as the performance space. Instead of traditional stage spaces, bringing contemporary dance into a historical and cultural monument created a unique fusion. This bold decision opened a new direction, showing that historical heritage can be an inspiring backdrop for the development of experimental art.

The community stage here has become a place where individuals with diverse bodily realities meet, connect, play, and express themselves. The dance performances involve adults and children with and without disabilities in spaces familiar to community life.

The dance performance concluded with profound emotions, opening up a sky of hope from within these "cracks" and affirming that the diversity of the body is the most precious asset, the most powerful source of energy for rebirth and connection.

The "Toad Sues Heaven" in its "rainy" version is a gentle reminder that after the rain, the sun will shine again, and after all the breakdowns, what remains is the desire to live, to move, and to share.

Article by Hai Anh, Photos by Hai Anh, Organizing Committee