Famous musical star Philip Quast to perform and share experiences in Hà Nội

HÀ NỘI – Acclaimed Australian actor and singer Philip Quast – the first actor to win the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor on three separate occasions – will have a one-night only performance at the Friendship Palace in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Musical actor Philip Quast talks with local media during a press conference in Hà Nội on November 3 about the the Culture in You project. Photos courtesy of YOUniverse

The famous bass-baritone singer, who best known for his role as Inspector Javert in the stage musical Les Misérables and in the Les Misérables: The Dream Cast in Concert, will be performing his show, The Road I Took.

Accompanying him on piano, Quast will be joined by the famous musical director, singer and pianist Anne Maree McDonald.

The concert will also showcase Australian performer and composer Nicholas Gentile, the director of the YOUniverse Education and Entertainment Company, who will be perform duets with the artist,  adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

The performance is part of an art education project Culture in You – A Cultural Anchor, Artistic Bridge organised by the YOUniverse Education and Entertainment Company, in collaboration with the Interstellar Musical Society and the Press Culture Centre of the Vietnam Journalists Association.

From left: Three Australian artists joining the Culture in You project, Anne Maree McDonald, Philip Quast and Nicholas Gentile.

During the concert, the audience will be treated to the iconic melodies Stars, I Am What I Am, Pretty Women and Is This All Then? from musicals like Les Misérables, La Cage Aux Folles, Sweeney Todd and Candide. The event promises to inspire and uplift the audience, offering profound moments of transcendence through the timeless values of music and art.

In addition to the concert, Philip Quast will join the project as a conversation expert, guiding young art enthusiasts in confident stage acting and facial expression techniques.

Explaining his participation in the 'Culture in You' project, he said he wanted to share his stage skills and experiences with the younger generation as he grows older.

The singer aims to help young Vietnamese artists learn stage techniques while encouraging them to leverage and explore their own cultural heritage to continue developing their rich traditions. He emphasises the importance of not merely copying western skills, but fully realising their potential through their unique cultural depth. He is eager to teach Vietnamese youth skills in teamwork for artistic projects, vocal performance and stage presence.

The 67-year-old also hopes to inspire young art enthusiasts by sharing his life story – from a boy living and working on a farm, to becoming a renowned artist, through his concert The Road I Took.

Musical actor Philip Quast wearing the Vietnamese quai thao conical hat poses with young Vietnamese performers. Photo courtesy of YOUniverse

A series of talks with participation of the three artists have been taking place at the Youth Theare, and VinUniversity and VinSchools in Hà Nội until November 11.

The Culture in You project also include ARTsical Jam Edition – a lively music event themed the 'Disney Channel 2000s'. Organised by the Interstellar Musical Society, this event promises to transport attendees back to the vibrant early 2000s, allowing the generations to relive cherished childhood memories through iconic films like High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Camp Rock and more. VNS