Contemporary dance "Toad sues the sky" "knocks on the door" of historical relic for the first time

Opening with a “fairy tale” retold in a new way

On the evening of October 18 and 19, the public of the capital enjoyed the contemporary dance “Cốc kien zoi”, performed by Kinergie Studio, within the framework of the Inclusive Arts Project with the support of the Goethe-Institut Hanoi and the Hanoi Association of People with Disabilities.

“Once upon a time

There was a drought year...oops

There was a flood in the year

Heavy rain and floods

Root rot

Mold infestation

Dusk

No sun

Oh my god

Where does the sky go without letting the sun shine?

That seemingly humorous introduction is choreographer Minh Hai's way of opening a "rain" version of the story "Toad sues the sky", she transformed the "drought" content in the folk tale into "flood" and "inundation", as a metaphor for the days of heavy rain and prolonged flooding in the North this year.

Inspired by folk tales, "Toad sues the sky" is an adaptation of the familiar story of Toad's journey with Crab, Bear, Tiger, Bee, and Fox to Heaven to "sue the sky" because of the prolonged drought. The work has transformed the story into the language of movement and music and the harmony of many different bodies on a community stage. The fusion of artistic elements has created a strong flow of emotions, overcoming the common language barrier.

The image of "cracked fields and bare grass" is interpreted abstractly, becoming a symbol of the aridity in life, the barriers or "cracks" in social connections. It is from those cracks that the premonition of "the return of the rains - the flow of life" begins, sparking the absurd but hopeful journey of Toad and his friends.

Sharing with Travellive reporter about the reason for choosing this story as creative material, choreographer Minh Hai said: “When I reread folk tales, I found 'Toad suing the sky' 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 space. The rest, everything came by chance. The idea appeared in my head without any prior calculation."

Director-choreographer Minh Hai led the audience along the flow of hope, where life emerges from encounters and shared journeys. She skillfully conveyed profound contemplations on human life into "moving pictures", where the differences of the body become an endless source of inspiration, breaking all prejudices about performance ability. For her, movement practice is a way to develop the physical, emotional and spiritual in unison, which is clearly expressed through deeply contemplative works.

Bringing experimental art into groundbreaking spaces

The most special feature of the event was the choice of Kim Lien Temple as the performance space. Instead of traditional stage spaces, bringing contemporary dance to a historical and cultural relic created a unique intersection. This bold decision opened a new direction, showing that historical heritages can be an inspiring setting for the development of experimental art.

The community theatre here has become a place where individuals with different physical realities meet, connect, play and express themselves. Dance performances include the participation of adults and children with and without disabilities in spaces familiar to community life.

The dance ended with lingering emotions, opening up a sky of hope from the very "cracks" and affirming that body diversity is the most precious asset, the strongest source of energy for regeneration and connection.

“Toad suing the sky” in the “rain” version is a gentle reminder that, after the rain, the sky will be bright again, and after all the brokenness, what remains is the desire to live, to move, and to share.

Article by Hai Anh, Photo: Hai Anh, Organizing Committee