Viet Nam News
by Minh Thu
HA NOI — The harmonious sound of bamboo pan flute lure Mong young men and women to come to a spring market where they perform singing, dancing and colourful costumes. There, they also find their love.
Unique culture lifestyle of the ethnic Mong people would open an art performance which made a debut on October 11 in Ha Noi, just after this publication went to print.
Entitled "My", the performance features a rich blend of the Mong culture with traditional musical instruments played live on stage and daily utensils used as props for the screen production.
In Mong costumes, 200 actors and actresses perform a combination of installation arts, dancing, singing and circus.
The show promised to leave a deep impression on the Ha Noi audience as well as international tourists.
Inspired by Vo Chong A Phu (A Phu and His Wife), a short story written by To Hoai in 1953, the artists from the Viet Bac Theatre for Traditional Folk Music and Dance reinterpreted the literary work into the language of the performing arts.
It’s the story of a beautiful ethnic Mong girl named My. Due to the custom of marriage by "kidnapping", she was forced to marry a man she doesn’t love.
"Kidnapping" marriage is portrayed as the cause of suffering of Mong women and parents at the hands of cruel, greedy and exploitative landlords and rulers.
The 12-act play is choreographed, scripted and directed by Nguyen Tuyet Minh.
Instead of reproducing the life tragedy of My, the main character of the short story, as in the original, the stage version highlights the unique culture of the Mong through depictions of a romantic love market, folk games and the people’s daily activities, such as the making of maize wine, weaving and fabric dyeing.
The play also raises a voice against outdated customs, including "kidnapping" marriage and drug use.
Minh decided to feature live music for the stage instead of electronic music. Minh and her team spent days searching for Mong master artists and convinced them to provide instructions for the troupe members on how to play the traditional Mong musical instruments.
It took the troupe five months to practise and play the instruments well in harmony.
Four songs composed exclusively for the show by Le Minh Son, Manh Tien, Minh Duc and Nong Xuan Ai would be performed in a capella style, which were expected to leave an emotional impression on the theatre goers.
In addition, My is expected to be enjoyed by the audience and art critics thanks to the costume designs, with designer Hoang Tung featuring the arts of brocade making and the decorative patterns of the Mong.
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| Honouring heritage: The show highlights the unique culture of the Mong ethnic community. — Photo courtesy of the organiser |
A cultural product for tourists
The show was made under the orders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism with the aim of honouring the traditional culture of people in the northern mountainous region. It received financial support from some businesses at a total investment of VND3 billion (US$130,000).
The 90-minute performance won two gold and three silver medals at the National Song and Dance Festival held in July. It was named the Most Impressive Programme, and art director Minh was named Best Choreographer of the festival.
After the festival, the artists wanted to bring it closer to audiences so they designed it as a cultural product for tourists visiting the Ha Noi Opera House.
The play has been adjusted into a 30-minute performance to make it fit the tour’s schedule. Accordingly, the singing has been reduced while dancing and folk music are spotlighted on the stage. English subtitles and plot points were also added.
“It’s interesting to have the show at the end of the tour to the Ha Noi Opera House,” said Minh.
Nguyen Thanh Nam, director of Nam Hung Media Company, producer of the show, said "My" was the beginning of a series of Nam An Shows – art performances at the Ha Noi Opera House. He began planning for the shows two years ago.
“We will produce different performances featuring the traditional culture of different regions and ethnic groups nationwide through the language of contemporary arts,” he said.
After a debut on October 11 at the Ha Noi Opera House, the organiser plans to present 10 shows until the end of the year. Information and tickets are available at www.namanshow.com. — VNS