The first Vietnamese production of its scale to ever grace a stage of the Sydney Opera House, À Ố Làng Phố is the latest production by the acclaimed Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam, directed by former Soleil choreographer Tuan Le.
But this isn’t just another take on the established formula of the modern circus. Rather, it’s an incredibly clever portrait of Vietnam that impresses in so many ways – and not just the ones you’d expect.
Creating vivid worlds out of thin air (and bamboo)
Let’s get the Cirque du Soleil comparisons right out of the way. There are certainly connections between the mother of all modern circuses and this troupe; but where the larger Cirque thrives on enormous spectacle, elaborate costuming and – often – licensed soundtracks, À Ố Làng Phố instead hinges on the exceedingly clever use of a small array of props.
Especially in the front half of the show, the performers ask a bit of imagination from the audience as they use nothing but woven baskets, bamboo poles, to evoke their homeland. Then, it happens suddenly; the picture snaps together in your mind, and what was moments ago an abstract arrangement is now a vivid scene. It’s brilliant.
The soundtrack, too, goes a long way to filling in the outlines onstage – giving voice to a group of frogs one moment, and bringing a bustling factory to life the next. It blends traditional Vietnamese sounds with some modern updates (just wait for the beatboxing), and is performed mostly live by a small band who, rightfully so, received as much applause as the rest of the cast.
It’s not just physically stunning – it’s funny, too
Heading into a show like this, you’ll expect some impressive acrobatics, and it certainly delivers on that front. But the performers’ impressive physicality is turned just as often towards comedy, and every sudden burst of applause for an impressive feat was usually followed soon afterwards by an eruption of laughter.
Frequently, as was the case with a cheeky fruit thief going to great lengths (and heights) to pinch his meal, or an unsuccessful courtship between a pair of frogs, it was both at once.
The (mostly) physical nature of the gags is all the more important when you take the language barrier into account, too, even if a heated argument between disgruntled neighbours comes through loud and clear in just about any language.
Aside from just the outright comedy, though, there are also more subtle moments that bring a smile to your face; a simple prop used in a particularly inventive way, causing you to sit back and quietly marvel at the creativity on display here. As each new scene forms from nothing before your eyes, and a new Vietnam is built atop the old, it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer wit.
À Ố Làng Phố premiered at the Sydney Opera House on June 12, and runs through to Saturday June 15. Tickets start at $39, and you can find out more through the Sydney Opera House website.
