Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — The drama Da Co Hoai Lang (Night Drumbeats Cause Longing for Absent Husband), a production by talented scriptwriter Thanh Hoang, will be restaged in a new version in the US next month.
The work’s theme highlights the country’s traditional culture and its spirit of different generations.
In the new version, the play’s context is set in the US in the 1980s. It will feature life of older Vietnamese people who are facing obstacles in integrating with their new life and culture.
"We will change some details in scripts and stage management to suit the new context,” said director Vu Minh, who has directed the play since 2014.
“We also hope to attract more young people in the US who can learn more about Vietnamese culture,” he added.
The performance will be staged by artists of IDECAF Theatre.
Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc will continue his performance in the title role of Tu, an elderly man nostalgic after years living away from Viet Nam.
Loc, who is often seen in comedic roles, has played the role for a number of shows. His peer, Meritorious Artist Huu Chau, will play the minor role of Tu’s close friend.
The play will tour in San Jose, Houston and Orange County from August 4-17.
Da Co Hoai Lang is named after the famous vong co (nostalgic tunes) song written in 1920 by Cao Van Lau of Bac Lieu Province, who is recognised as the guru of cai luong (reformed opera) theatre.
Since its debut by 5B Small Theatre in 1994, the play has been staged more than 900 times across Viet Nam, starring artists of different generations like artists Viet Anh, Thanh Hoang and Hoai Linh.
It won the Golden Medal at the National Theatre Festival in 1995. — VNS