English Historical Play: “Đinh Bo Linh—The Reed Hero,” conceptualized and executed collaboratively by TDSers, has garnered significant participation from students eager to audition and portray characters in the production.
After rigorous selection rounds, with the dedicated work of the project’s professional committee, 11 outstanding TDSers have been chosen to assume the main roles in the play. Congratulations to our actors:
Young Dinh Bo Linh – Pham Bui Trang Anh (6 Halifax)
Young Dinh Bo Linh, residing in Hoa Lư, often herds buffaloes with a group of children, crafting flags from reeds and engaging in mock drills. From an early age, he displayed natural leadership skills. The group of children would often stand with folded arms, creating a palanquin to parade him, resembling celestial guards.
Young Nguyen Bac – Le Gia Han (6 Montreal)
According to legend, the young Nguyen Bac was skilled in martial arts and possessed extraordinary strength. He once captured tigers barehanded to sell to wealthy individuals. His personality was straightforward and candid, yet he had a deep affection for people.
Young Dinh Dien – Bui Ngoc Uyen Linh (6 Halifax)
While still a young child herding buffaloes in Thung Lau (Hoa Lu cave, Gia Vien), Dinh Dien, along with a group of children, used reeds to make flags, created a palanquin with folded arms, and revered and paraded Dinh Bo Linh as a king. The profound connection among the three – Dinh Bo Linh, Nguyen Bac, and Dinh Dien – has deep roots from their childhood under the green reed flags during training, contrasting with the bond forged during the nation’s pivotal moments – the need to quell the yellow turban and then make “the oath of the peach garden.”
Mature Dinh Bo Linh – Tong Huu Minh (12 Madrid)
He is a charismatic and strategic leader. During the turbulent times in the country, known as the chaos of the 12 warlords, Dinh Bo Linh, with his strong determination, noticed the nation falling into disorder. He first recruited those who trained under the reed flags and later rallied local warriors to raise the flag of uprising, aspiring to establish a great career. Through intelligence, strategic thinking, and charisma, Dinh Bo Linh gained widespread support from the local population.
Mature Dinh Dien – Pham Huy Nhat Anh (11 Vienna)
He is one of the meritorious officials who assisted Dinh Bo Linh in suppressing the 12 warlords, founding the state of Dai Co Viet, and remaining dedicated to the Dinh Dynasty.
Mature Nguyen Bac – Le Hoang Bach (12 Madrid)
He is one of the loyalists to the Dinh Dynasty and a fellow countryman, born and dying in the same year as King Dinh Tien Hoang. Among the common people, he and Dinh Dien are considered symbols of heroic spirit, righteousness, and loyalty.
Nguyen Sieu – Vu Hoang Anh (12 Madrid)
He was a military leader during the chaos of the 12 warlords in 10th-century Vietnamese history. When powerful, Nguyen Sieu nurtured a disciple force of over 8,000 with an army of over 10,000, continuously recruiting heroes and expanding his influence. Nguyen Sieu became a formidable military leader with a solid fortress.
Le Hoan – Pham Quang Minh (11 Berlin)
Upon reaching adulthood, Le Hoan assisted the Nam Viet king Dinh Lien, known for his open-minded and ambitious nature. The soldiers of Dinh Bo Linh praised him as a courageous and capable individual, assigning him the command of a thousand soldiers.
Nguyen Tri Kha – Nguyen Xuan Anh Hoang (11 Monaco)
Nguen Sieu stationed 10,000 troops in Thanh Dam, appointing Nguyen Tri Kha as the vanguard, Tran Con as the flank, and Nguyen Hien as the overall commander of various forces. Day and night, they trained and fortified their positions to defend against potential threats. He was a loyal general of Nguyen Sieu.
Dinh Lien – Truong Duc Minh (12 Madrid)
As the eldest son of Dinh Bo Linh, he was once held as a hostage at the Co Loa court for 15 years before joining his father to suppress the 12 warlords. He also stood in for his father in diplomatic negotiations with China.
Do Canh Thac – Vu Tuan Dat (12 Madrid)
He was a general in the Ngo dynasty who later became a leader during the chaos of the 12 warlords in Vietnamese history. Do Canh Thac’s forces were formidable, with high and deep fortifications. According to legends, Do Canh Thac was a courageous and strategic individual, making it necessary for Dinh Bo Linh to carefully plan and strategize against him.
News Bearer – Nguyen Phuc Sang (11 Vienna)
The play “Dinh Bo Linh – The Reed Hero” vividly portrays the story of Dinh Bo Linh, the emperor who founded the Dinh Dynasty. He played a crucial role in suppressing the 12 warlords’ rebellion, becoming the first king to unify the country after 1000 years of Northern domination. He named the country Dai Co Viet and established the capital in Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
The script for the play was written by students from The Dewey Schools, translated into English, and the performance promises to deliver a spectacular and grand production on the upcoming date of January 19th.
