HCM CITY — A popular historical play from the 1990s will be restaged by HCM City Tuồng Theatre this weekend at Sen Hồng Stage in District 1, as part of the theatre’s efforts to preserve tuồng (classical drama), a symbolic form of traditional art originating in central Việt Nam.

The work Chuyện Tình Bảy Núi (The Love Story of Bảy Núi) depicts the life of Vạn Hoa, a young woman from Bảy Núi District in An Giang Province, who leads her villagers to join the resistance war against the French colonialists.

The three-act play also highlights the culture and characters of southern people.

It features more than 20 veteran and young actors who have worked to renew their performance style to meet changes in a modern society.

To attract city audiences, the actors will mix the performance ofcải lương (reformed theatre), a southern art form, into the central art form of tuồng, after using modern materials on stage.

The theatre staged a free performance at Sen Hồng located in 23/9 Park on Sunday. Their show left a strong impression on local audiences.

Chuyện Tình Bảy Núi will be staged at 8pm every Friday and run until late April. Tickets are available at the Sen Hồng box office.

The theatre also plans to restage other famous historical plays, including Tiếng Hát Nàng Huyền Cơ (The Voice of Huyền Cơ) and Chất Ngọc Không Tan (Pure Pearl), which feature the life and career of national heroes.

The plays will be staged every Saturday and Sunday in April. — VNS