Art programme features cải lương stars

FAMOUS CẢI LƯƠNG – People’s Artist Lệ Thuỷ (left) and Minh Vương will appear in Đêm Huyền Thoại (Legendary Night), a show offering performance excerpts from famous plays of cải lương (reformed opera), a 100-year-old gerne of the South’s traditional theatre. Photo courtesy of Gia Bảo Production.

HCM CITY — A special art programme featuring famous theatre artists will be organised in HCM City this month. 

The event, Đêm Huyền Thoại (Legendary Night), offers a series of performance excerpts from famous plays of cải lương (reformed opera), a 100-year-old gerne of the South’s traditional theatre. 

It celebrates the country’s 79th National Day on September 2. 

The event will feature 20 cải lương stars and veteran artists, including People’s Artist Lệ Thuỷ and Minh Vương, and Meritorious Artist Kim Tử Long and Tú Sương. 

Vietnamese-American comic artist Bảo Quốc is also included.

The artists will perform excerpts from Tô Ánh Nguyệt (Ms Tô Ánh Nguyệt) and Sông Dài (Long River), which both feature the South’s history and culture. 

People’s Artist Lệ Thuỷ will appear in Tô Ánh Nguyệt, a tragedy that portrays Southern women living in a feudal society. 

“I hope our art will bring audiences closer to Vietnamese theatre and music,” said 76-year-old Thuỷ, who has 60 years in the industry.

Thủy won several top prizes at national traditional theatre competitions and festivals. She has performed in more than 300 plays, videos and films.

STAR PERFORMER – Vietnamese-American comic artist Quốc Bảo (central), a veteran of cải lương (reformed opera), will perform in Đêm Huyền Thoại (Legendary Night), a special show featuring Vietnamese theatre and music. Photo courtesy of the artist’s family.

Another highlighted performer is People’s Artist Minh Vương, who has 60 years in cải lương. 

Vương began his professional career when he was 14 after winning first prize at a cải lương singing competition on Sài Gòn Radio for young artists.

In 1967, he played his first leading role, and after that, was hired to play mostly leading characters.

His voice and dance skills are considered a standard for cải lương.

In the 1990s, Vương worked with Cần Thơ Television, HCM City Television (HTV) and film studios to produce TV shows, videos and albums featuring quality plays on social issues.

Through his productions, Vương found ways to win the hearts of poor farmers living in remote areas who enjoy theatre via TV or radio.

He has performed in several hundred plays, TV shows and albums in praise of Vietnamese culture and lifestyle in both traditional and modern styles of cải lương. 

He has also worked with art schools and traditional theatres to train students.

“Cải lương is my life. I have worked every single day to improve my art,” said Vương, after he received the title People’s Artist by the Prime Minister in recognition of his great contribution to cải lương in 2019. 

The show Đêm Huyền will open at 8pm on August 30 at Bến Thành Theatre, 6D Mạc Đĩnh Chi Street, District 1. — VNS