VietNamNet Bridge – The Department of Performing Arts has permitted Vietnam Television (VTV) to broadcast Tao Quan 2013 (The Kitchen Gods) after the show was forced to undertake edits to its content.

.

A scene in Tao Quan 2013.

Tao Quan 2013 is an annual stage show that features some of Vietnam’s most highly regarded comedy actors performing sketches on the year’s political and social issues.

Speaking with DTiNews, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, head of the department’s Office for Performing Management, said after the Vietnam Television Film Centre (VFC) had cut some of the humorous lines from a sketch featuring Nam Tao and Bac Dau discussing male to female transgender sex changes, the department had decided to license the show.

The Department of Performing Arts had temporarily banned the release of the Tao Quan DVD because of its allegedly 'crude' contents.

According to Nhan, the department would soon announce an official decision on the unlicensed live performance of the show that was held at the Viet Xo Friendship Cultural Palace on January 25-27.

The show’s director Do Thanh Hai said “we’re currently editing the show to shorten it to around 100 minutes, compared to the original running time of around 200 minutes. The edited show will be ready for broadcast on February 9."

Tao Quan is one of Vietnam’s most highly anticipated TV shows, and has been broadcasted annually since 2003.

Source: DTriNews