New ‘cải lương’ troupe opens

NEW TROUPE – Young artists from the private Thiên Long Cải Lương Troupe of HCM City are working to introduce Vietnamese theatre to young audiences. Photo courtesy of Thiên Long Cải Lương Troupe.

HCM CITY — Theatre director and actor Hùng Vương, in co-operation with his partners, has opened the Thiên Long Cải Lương (reformed opera) Troupe in HCM City.

The troupe offers shows of cải lương and tuồng (classical drama), two traditional genres of Vietnamese theatre which began a hundred years ago.

Historical plays are also highlighted.

The troupe attracts Meritorious Artist and theatre director Lê Trung Thảo, and cải lương stars Tú Sương and Ngân Tuấn.

Young actors from art schools are also featured.

“Our troupe will support and help young artists to develop their career, while preserving and bringing the traditional art forms closer to young audiences,” said the troupe’s founder Hùng Vương.

Vương said his artists will offer experimental shows that meet the taste of young audiences. “Aside from performing, we will also speak to the audience with question and answer sessions, and dialogue,” he added.

Vương worked for Hương Tràm Cải Lương Theatre and Bến Tre Cải Lương Theatre, two leading State-owned traditional art troupes of the South.

In his mid-thirties, Vương has worked to improve his skills under the instruction of famous artists from the HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography.

“I think new concepts and techniques in traditional theatre will help keep the art alive,” said Vương, adding that his staff has received many congratulations as well as encouragement from the city’s Theatre Artists’ Association and theatre lovers.

BELOVED PERFORMER – Meritorious Artist and cải lương star Tú Sương has had more than 20 years to expand her art among theatre lovers. Photo courtesy of HCM City Theatre Association.

The troupe’s first show on Vietnamese history is scheduled to be staged on August 10.

It will star Meritorious Artist Tú Sương, who has 20 years in the industry.

Sương studied her first lessons of cải lương and tuồng from her parents, who were late actor Trường Sơn and late actress Thanh Loan.

With her strong, sweet voice and rapid improvement in performing skills, she soon became a bright star in theatre.

She has earned top prizes for Best Theatre Actress presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the HCM City Theatre’s Association, and leading organisations and newspapers.

She has performed in several hundred cải lương plays, music videos and TV shows.

“I’m happy to work with the young actors of Thiên Long Cải Lương Troupe. We will offer a new style of cải combined with modern concepts in singing, dancing and performance style,” said Sương.

Thiên Long Cải Lương Troupe is composed of 15 skilled actors, mostly graduates of leading art schools in the city and neighbouring provinces. The troupe’s performances will be staged on weekends, starting from August 10, at 136Đ Trần Hưng Đạo Street, District 1. —VNS