Contemporary Musical – 90 minutes
#Stage #Works
ẢO QUAN (Apophenia) is a contemporary musical by author and director Chinh BA, co-produced by the 5B Small Stage Theater (Nhà hát kịch Sân khấu Nhỏ) and TheaFter (founded by Chinh Ba) in 2025. The work premiered with 6 performances in November 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, garnering significant acclaim for both its artistic style and social impact. Based on the psychological phenomenon of apophenia, the play opens up the tragedy of two mothers whose sons committed suicide due to depression. During time of searching for the cause of their sons’ deaths, the two mothers have had to face successive social crises, from the torment over whether their parenting was the cause, to confronting media violence, as well as their relationships with remain family members. Beyond family issues, a series of hidden symbols throughout the work also evoke the history of pain within the LGBTQ+ community. The work opened a chain of discussions led by psychologists and sociological organizations regarding depression, suicide, sensitive gender issues, and social media behavior surrounding these topics.
Nhà hát kịch Sân khấu nhỏ and TheaFter co-produce
Director & Dramaturge | Chinh Ba
Actors | NSND My Uyen, Ho Hoang Ngoc, Tran Tuan Kiet, Tran Dai Chinh, Quan Phuc Toan, Charlotte Thien Tuong, Hua Manh Dung, Vu Thien Bao, Phat Do, Tong Lien, Dao Minh Khang, Mai Thien Qui, Boo.tter, Bevis
Music Band | Ned Nethercott, Hieu Liem, Bryan Charles Wilson, Ta Xuan Thu, Tedd
Songs by | Douglas Dare, Heiðrik, The Irrepressibles, George Frideric Handel
Dialogue Excerpt from | Thanasis Tsimpinis
Music Arrangement | Hieu Liem, Ned Nethercott, Nhat Nguyen
Video Director | Nguyen Trong Thuy Khanh
Lighting Director | Phuc Hai
Sound Director | Ned Nethercott
Choreographer | Ha Loc
Stage Designer | Minh Nhat, Quoc Cuong
Video Production | Colorholic Media
DOP | Lam Uy Huynh
Video Crew | Taan di lang thang, Hoang Anh
Video Editor | Timo Nguyen
Screen Technique | SOF Production
Set Design | VO HOA Event Decor & Set Decor
Lighting and Sound | Nhà hát kịch Sân khấu Nhỏ, KKT Network
Stylist | An Nam, Huy Truong
Makeup & Hair | Kelvin Dinh, Duc Phan, Vuong Khiem
Director Assistant | Quoc Cuong
Script Assistant | Khang Ninh Dang
Choreographer Assistant | Pu Lee
Production Director | NSND My Uyen
Production Manager | Hoai Thu
Performance Director | Quoc Cuong
Director’s Secretary | Tho Lam
Production Secretary | Duc Tien, Truong Ann
Production Team | Dung Hoang, Manh Son
Vocal Coach | Pham Trang, Ho Hoang Ngoc
Photographer | Khoi Pham (Cuu Con), Truong Minh Tuan
Designer | Vu Minh Tu, Luc Hanh Nguyen
Lighting Technician | La Bao Duy, Huynh Thuc Thuc
Costumes Management | My Chau, Van Anh
Props Management | Khoa Dang
Communication Director | Vo Quang Huy
Communication Coordinator | Cham Khanh, Mai Linh
Event Coordinator | Khanh Nguyen (ICS), Xuan Huy
Art Director | NSND Tran Ngoc Giau
Art Consultant | NSND My Uyen
Performance Organizer | Madame Uyen
Sociology Consultant | ICS Center
Psychology Expert | Phan Tuong Yen, Dang Khanh An
For full video requests, please contact via email: cabhoian@gmail.com
Additional informations