Viet Nam News
HA NOI — Talented HCM City-based theatre director Doan Ba passed away at 3.55pm on August 21 (local time) in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He was 78.
He was born in the southern Soc Trang Province and was the director of Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre for 16 years. He not only was an experienced cai luong (reformed opera) director in HCM City, but was also a sincere teacher at the HCM City Theatre and Cinematography College. He trained various noted drama artistes such as Huu Chau, Huu Nghia, Quang Minh and Hong Dao.
Ba staged 300 cai luong and drama plays, many of which are considered to be models for the domestic theatre sector, such as Rang Ngoc Con Son (Bright Gem in Con Son), Tinh Yeu va Loi Dap (Love and Reply) and Ke Ngoai Tinh (An Adulterer).
Noted cai luong artist Minh Vuong said, “He changed my artistic life when he gave me the role of Nguyen Trai in Rang Ngoc Con Son.
“I was 31 at that time and had only done the roles of handsome gentlemen falling in love with beautiful ladies.
“Ba helped me to analyse the character of Nguyen Trai so that I could give the role my best. He also let me be creative. Hundreds of shows of the play have been performed in large theatres in the city. The role of Nguyen Trai is a significant role in my life. I highly appreciate Ba’s support in the play.”
Many artistes based in HCM City have expressed their sadness at Ba’s death on their Facebook pages.
Artiste My Uyen wrote, “Maestro Doan Ba, a giant tree of the southern theatre, was my beloved teacher and the teacher of many generations of artistes…”
In June this year, the director’s family organised a press conference to announce his plan to stage Ben Hur with the participation of young directors from the United States. That’s why many of his friends and students were stunned on hearing the news.
His family members said he was suffering from a serious kidney disease when he visited his children in the United States.
His funeral will be held in the United States. — VNS