Hà Nội Drama Theatre was established in 1959 out of the former Đoàn Văn công Nhân dân Hà Nội (Hà Nội People’s Arts Ensemble). It is based at the Workers’ Cinema (Rạp Chiếu bóng Công nhân) in historic Tràng Tiền Street (see below), which was constructed in 1959 to replace a colonial-era cinema dating from 1911. The company continued to operate throughout the American War, presenting well-known hit plays such as Hà My của tôi (‘My Hà My’), Cô gái đội mũ nồi (‘Girl in a Beret’) and Tôi và Chúng Ta (‘Me and Us’). Since then the 53-member ensemble has developed a loyal audience for its popular weekly programme of repertory theatre, which has included award-winning plays such as Những linh hồn sống (‘Living Souls’), Hà Nội đêm trở gió (‘The Wind Changes Direction this Hà Nội Night’) and Lũy hoa (‘Hedge of Flowers’). Hà Nội Drama Theatre includes many leading stage artists, including Hoàng Dũng, Hoàng Cúc, Công Lý and Phú Thăng. In 2001, like Small Stage Drama Theatre in Hồ Chí Minh City, Hà Nội Drama Theatre embarked on a policy of privatisation, offering shares to its performers and staff.