Vietnamese theatre director Le Quy Duong has been named artistic director of the Asian Theatre Festival 2009, due to take place in China this June.

The Asian Theatre Festival 2009 will be held from June 7-12 at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and expected to draw 20 experimental art troupes from theatres and art schools in the Asia-Pacific region.

Duong will visit eight countries in April to preview the troupes’ performances and review the other 12 by video.

He will also direct an experimental performance Nguoi Nam 2222 (People of the Year 2222) by Vietnamese writer Le Duy Hanh.

The performance tells a story about a couple of young scientists which takes place on the earth, the moon and the sun. It will use body art and high tech stage equipment to convey the surreal aspect of the story, said the director. People of the Year 2222 will be performed by both Vietnamese and foreign actors.

After the festival in Shanghai, People of the Year 2222 will tour Australia, Europe, Asia and Vietnam to celebrate the 1,000^th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.