Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — The HCM City Hat Boi Theatre is working on a new historical play called Le Cong Ky An (Tales of Gia Dinh’s Commander) by Meritorious Artist and scriptwriter Huu Danh that will be presented at the National Tuong (Classical Drama) Festival 2018 in Quang Ngai Province in October.
The 90-minute tragedy depicts the controversial life and death of Le Van Duyet, a national hero who contributed to the growth of South Viet Nam in the 19th century.
Duyet was born in 1764 in Tien Giang Province’s Cu Lao Ho (now Hoa Khanh village). He began his career by supporting Emperor Gia Long (Nguyen Phuc Anh), founder of the Nguyen Dynasty, when he was 17.
Besides working to build dyke and irrigation systems, he was known for his military talent and fight against corrupt officials and sycophantic courtiers.
Thanks to Duyet’s management, Gia Dinh developed into a populous and prosperous area.
Le Cong Ky An focuses on the period between 1813 and 1820, when Duyet was the commander of Gia Dinh Citadel, which included Bien Hoa City and present-day HCM City.
Directed by People’s Artist Tran Ngoc Giau and Nguyen Hoan, the play is staged by veteran artists Dong Ho and Linh Hien, who have worked with younger actors Kieu Mi, Thanh Binh and Bao Chau on the production.
The performance is part of a new drama project called Toi Yeu Tuong-Cai Luong (I Love Tuong - Cai Luong), launched this year by HCM City Theatre Association in co-operation with local traditional theatres, including HCM City Hat Boi Theatre, one of the region’s leading State-owned theatres.
The project offers historical shows at affordable prices, ranging from VND50,000 (US$2.2) to VND100,000 ($4.4) a ticket, to attract audiences, particularly students and labourers.
It has attracted tuong and cai luong stars such as People’s Artist Kim Cuong and Meritorious Artist Minh Vuong, top talents who have developed traditional theatre for more than four decades.
“Through our performance, we hope to preserve tuong or hat boi, a traditional theatre of the central region that consists of singing, dancing with music, and to encourage young people learn more about the art,” said young actor Thanh Binh, who plays a leading role in Le Cong Ky An
“We received more than VND500 million ($21,500) from the city budget to renovate the theatre,” said Binh, adding that he and his colleagues had worked with several organisations and sponsors that invested in the theatre’s activities.
The first show of Le Cong Ky An will take place at National Tuong Festival 2018, which is organised by Viet Nam Theatre Artists Association and Quang Ngai Province in early October.— VNS