VietNamNet Bridge – The tragedy of private drama troupes in HCM City is that they can draw the audience to their all-the-year-round performances but they do not have their own theatres. At the same time, Hanoi has up to 15 state-owned theatres but they are not occupied regularly since state-owned drama troupes fail to lure the audience.

Hoang Thai Thanh drama troupe, HCM City, has to perform in the children's house.

So far, only HCM City is the land where drama arts is lively every night, with new plays periodically launched by private drama troupes.

In Hanoi, the art center of the country and the north, just several plays are introduced each year. There were a few spots of light flashed and then faded out very quickly. For example, the Sao Viet Art Club was established and known for the drama “Quy Am” (Posession,) which was performed at the Kim Ma Cheo Theatre for several months and then abruptly closed. The Thien Quang stage at 37 Tran Binh Trong of the Youth Theatre could attract a few dozens of people on Saturday nights. A number of clubs were founded and died prematurely.

In Hanoi, with 11 national and four local art troupes, when people need to enjoy the art of theater, it is hard for them to find any theater that is opened.

"Excess" and "deficiency"

Hanoi has 15 theaters for 11 drama troupes, all state-owned, such as Kim Ma, Chuong Vang, Cong Nhan, Hong Ha, Dai Nam, Tuoi Tre, Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Thanh Nien, Vietnam Drama Theater, Army Theatre, Thang Long Water Puppetry Theatre, Central Puppetry Theatre, Central Circus Stage, Hanoi Opera House and Cultural Friendship Palace.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism manages eight theaters in Hanoi and it has allocated these theatres to art troupes, including: Au Co Theatre to the Vietnam Singing, Dancing and Drama Theatre, Stage at 16 Le Thai To to the Vietnam Music Theatre, Kim Ma Theatre to the Vietnam Cheo Theatre, the Vietnam Puppetry Theatre - 361 Truong Chinh, Hong Ha Theatre to the Vietnam Tuong Theatre, Tuoi Tre Theater to the Tuoi Tre Drama Troupe, the Central Circus Theatre to the Vietnam Circus Federation, Cong Nhan Theatre to the Vietnam Drama Theatre and Stage 266 Cau Giay to the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra. The Hanoi Opera House is also under the management of the Ministry but it is not used by any fixed art troupe.

Only the Vietnam Cai Luong Theatre and the Vietnam Opera Ballet Theatre do not have their own theaters.

With a population of nearly 7 million people, that number of theaters is too small. However, most of the theaters do not open for art shows but are leased to hold events like weddings, meetings, etc.

In recent years, only Tuoi Tre Theater has been able to maintain weekend shows by its own drama troupes. Other troupes could not organized periodical performances because of lacking audience.

For example, in the past 8 years since taking over the Hong Ha Theater, the Vietnam Tuong Theatre has tried to organize programs to attract audiences. Besides the two shows on weekends, the theatre also has two shows at 7pmm mid-week for tourists. Yet, the number of foreign visitors to each show is only about 20 to 30 people. The theater, therefore, is operating at loss. However, it is still striving for maintaining its shows, with at least two weekend shows.

The Chuong Vang Theater is located in the city’s heart - at 72 Hang Bac Street, a dream location in the city but it is almost unused.

Why are these theaters not open every night? It is because they cannot attract the audience with their plays.

Saigon: there are many plays, not stage

Phu Nhuan drama troupe has to perform in a district cultural house.

With many drama troupes which are busy every night to serve the audience, these troupes do not have their own theaters. This is the tragedy of private art troupes in HCM City.

Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc, founder of IDECAF stage, said: "The plays of state-owned drama troupes are funded with a billion dong from the state budget while private art troupes have received almost nothing from the state. So far, no private troupe can afford to build their own theater. They have to perform at hired stages.”

"Sometimes we already sold tickets for a play but the stage owner suddenly informed us that the theater was used for other purposes for that day. We had to return money to the audience," artist Thanh Loc said.

The shows of Phu Nhuan and Hoang Thai Thanh drama troupes are held every day, with at least over 100 viewers per show. Artist Ai Nhu of Hoang Thai Thanh troupe said the number of audience is stable but not high enough to have profit to build a theater.

Director Nguyen Hong Dung said: "The city cannot build many theaters but it can build a modern theater for lease. A modern city like Ho Chi Minh City can totally do that."

Tien Phong