Famous plays in a southern style staged in the 1980s and 90s are part of a new drama programme produced by Sen Viet Stage and Huynh Long Cai Luong Theatre, two private theatres of HCM City. Photo courtesy of the producer

The programme will restage a series of 60 cai luong and tuong plays that were staged by Minh To and Huynh Long troupes, the region’s leading cai luong troupes, in the 1980s and 1990s. 

The plays were written and directed by talented artists in the South who played a role in the country’s theatre developments. The plays portray southern culture and lifestyles. 

Actors from the Sen Viet Stage and Huynh Long Cai Luong Theatre are working to launch the programme. 

The first show, Lưu Bị Cầu Hôn Giang Tả (The Country and the People), featuring a dramatic tuong play was staged last weekend to audience acclaim. The play highlights patriotism. It features Meritorious Artist Tu Suong and young talents Hong Quyen and Tu Quyen of Sen Viet Stage. 

“Tuong or hat boi is a traditional theatre of the central region that developed from a folk art to a royal art in the 17th century,” said Meritorious Artist Suong, who has more than 20 years of experience in the theatre. 

“My teachers, late People’s Artist Thanh Tong, veteran actresses Bach Mai and Minh Hue, worked hard to develop tuong in southern style, a style that requires specific performance skills.”

“Our actors today will follow in their footsteps to preserve the art,” she said. 

Young talents Hong Quyen and Tu Quyen. Photo thanhuytphcm.vn

The next show will feature Tô Hiến Thành Xử Án (To Hien Thanh is Judged), a cai luong play first staged in 1985 and starring Thanh Sang and Hong Nga. 

The play tells historical events in the Ly Dynasty in 1140 and 1142. 

After Tô Hiến Thành Xử Án, a series of famous plays featuring historical events and national heroes, will be restaged in new versions. The works highlight traditional culture and lifestyles. 

Theatre stars Que Tran, Trinh Trinh, Dien Trung and Le Thanh Thao will be featured. 

“Our programme will offer quality plays with truly southern dramas,” said Meritorious Artist and theatre director Le Nguyen Dat of Sen Viet Stage, who is also a founder of the programme. 

“Through the programme, famous plays recognised as canons of southern theatre will be introduced.”

According to Dat, the programme will offer a new play every three months starting on May 15. 

The shows will be staged at 8pm on Sunday at Kim Ngan Theatre on 144 Dinh Tien Hoang Street in Binh Thanh District and HCM City Theatres Association on 5B Vo Van Tan Street in District 3. Tickets are priced at VND50,000 (US$2) to attract students and people with lower incomes.

VNS

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