VietNamNet Bridge – While dozens of drama troupes in the north have signed to perform in a professional festival highlighting comic actors, HCM City has decided to ignore the event.

After learning about the conditions and rules of this year's National Comic Theatre Festival, which began on Thursday in the northern province of Quang Ninh's Ha Long City, all of the troupes have chosen to stay home.

"Unlike State-owned troupes, we don't have any financial assistance from the government," said Phuoc Sang, owner of the Sai Gon Drama Troupe.

Sang said that his troupe would have to spend a lot of money to take part in the festival.

"We have to interrupt our performances for days, meaning a loss of income that would come from selling tickets."

"This is too much for a private troupe that exists by performing every night," he added.

Renowned artist Khanh Hoang, director of State-owned HCM City Drama Theatre, said the festival's organising board would only award individual medals to actors.

"How about other factors such as the director, scriptwriter, costume designer, and stage effect specialist," he said. "The prizes should be given to all people who contribute to the stage."

Hoang said that within the new rules for awards, artists like painters and musicians do not have a chance for a prize.

"All artists should be equal," he added.

Organised by the culture ministry's Performing Art Department, the festival, which runs through September, is expected to attract prestigious art troupes.

Although the organisers have been successful in drawing 600 performers from 22 troupes in the north, there is still lack of funding needed to attract HCM City's private troupes.

"Without HCM City's large and diverse private troupes, I think the festival will attract a much smaller audience," said Thanh Hiep, a theatre critic at HCM City Theatre and Cinematography College.

"City artists are stage pioneers who have worked hard to realise their creative inspirations and express their views," he said.

Hiep said that to develop the country's stage scene and comic theatre in particular, the Department should work harder to support private drama troupes.

"Our stage needs artists who can incorporate their own styles and push performing to new levels."

Hiep's favourite comic play is Nguoi Nha Que (Countryside People), starring Hoai Linh, Thanh Thuy and Thai Hoa, produced by the Nu Cuoi Moi Private Drama Troupe.

Directed by Tran Ngoc Giau, the play highlights the inner beauty of people living in rural areas, who are struggling with changes in modern society.

"I believe Nu Cuoi Moi artists, with impressive and exciting interpretations, will dazzle theatre critics and audiences in Ha Long to take the top prize."

Hiep and many theatre lovers are saddened about the situation because Nguoi Nha Que's producer, like other private troupes, have refused to join the festival.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News