A scene in the musical drama Ngẫm Kiều (Song of Kieu), performed at the Cho Lon Drama Theatre in HCM City in the New Year. Photo courtesy of the producer

One of HCM City’s leading drama troupes, IDECAF, is preparing a new musical based on the award-winning Vietnamese movie about cai luong (reformed opera), Song Lang (The Tap Box).

Directed by Leon Le, the film features a group of cải lương artists in HCM City who face challenges in the 1980s to preserve their special art form. It stars young actors Lien Binh Phat and Issac.

Song Lang won five Golden Lotus awards at the 21st Vietnam National Film Festival in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in December last year, including best feature film and best director.

EPIC: IDECAF's 2017 musical drama Tiên Nga (Fairy Tale), a production based on the 19th century Vietnamese epic poem Lục Vân Tiên by poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu, left a strong impression on critics and audiences. Photo courtesy of producer

The film has also won top prizes at numerous local and international film festivals.

“We have enough resources for staging musicals featuring Vietnamese culture and song. We're proud that we've worked so hard to bring our own productions to the stage,” Huynh Anh Tuan, owner of IDECAF Drama Troupe, told local media.

IDECAF is considered a pioneer in producing musical dramas in the city.

Its musical series for children called Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once Upon a Time) was a favourite among children and adults. The series began in 1997 and has 32 parts.

In 2017, the troupe achieved great success with Tiên Nga (Fairy Tale), a production based on the 19th century Vietnamese epic poem Lục Vân Tiên by poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu.

The play is about the life of Luc Van Tien, a poor student who travels to the capital to take a civil service examination for mandarins. He rescues Kieu Nguyet Nga, a beautiful woman from a wealthy family, from a robbery. They fall in love, but cannot be together because of feudal society's mores.

Tiên Nga, written by People’s Artist Nam Chau and directed by Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc, left a strong impression on audiences after 40 shows. It received awards given by the HCM City People’s Committee for critically and publicly acclaimed literature and art works created from 2012 to 2018.

Tran Ngoc Chau, 40, of District 2, said: "I hope the city's theatres introduce more Vietnamese musical dramas. It's a way to promote Vietnamese culture."

People’s Artist Hong Van, owner of two of HCM City’s leading theatres, Phu Nhuan and Cho Lon, said: “Musicals play an important part in the city’s theatre scene since they introduce Vietnamese culture and traditions to the public and visitors.”

Van’s first musical Ngẫm Kiều (Song of Kieu) released in HCM City in the Lunar New Year received praise for its performers, music and costumes.

ALL AGES: IDECAF's musical drama series for children called Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once upon A Time) is a favourite among children and adults. The series began in 1997 and has 32 parts. Photo courtesy of the producer

The production is based on the 18th-century Vietnamese epic poem Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kieu) written by great poet Nguyen Du, recounting the life and trials of Thuy Kieu, a talented young woman who is forced to sacrifice herself to save her family.

Ngẫm Kiều is written by Le Quoc Nam and directed by People’s Artist Hong Van. Its music is composed by Nguyen Van Chung, reflecting traditional Vietnamese music and song. The production stars young actors like My Tran, Pham Yen, Trinh Duy Anh, and Tuan Dung.

“My actors practised a lot. They expect to highlight the beauty of Vietnamese culture through their performances,” said Van, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry.

Van is launching training courses in singing, dancing and acting for 57 young artists from her troupe to prepare for new works in 2020.

Tran Yen Chi, head of the training department at the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography, said the school offered training courses in dancing and singing for acting students. To develop the city's music scene, the city’s theatres should focus on offering training in dancing and singing skills to young artists. VNS

Film on traditional theatre genre of ‘cai luong’ wins "VN Oscar"

‘Song Lang’ (The Tap Box) was honoured with the Golden Lotus Award in the motion picture category at the 21st National Film Festival, which wrapped up in Vung Tau City on November 27.

HCM City honours 53 prominent literature and art works

The HCM City People’s Committee has granted awards to critically and publicly acclaimed literature and art works created from 2012 to 2018.