Artists perform in a show under the Truyền Nghề 2022 art programme that seeks to popularise the art forms of cải lương (reformed opera) and tuồng (classical drama). — Photo courtesy of the HCM City Theatre Association

HCM CITY — A new programme in which artists perform and talk about the cải lương (reformed opera) and tuồng (classical drama) has been launched by the HCM City Theatre Association.

The programme Truyền Nghề 2022 (Career Inheritance 2022) will feature veterans like People’s Artist Kim Cương, People’s Artist Ngọc Giàu and Meritorious Artist Thanh Sơn, who have all worked hard to develop Vietnamese theatre. 

Young talents from the Sen Việt Theatre, one of the city’s leading private traditional art troupes, will also participate. 

The artists will perform famous extracts from cải lương and tuồng plays themed on patriotism and courage.

Vietnamese folk instrumentalists will accompany all performances on the tranh (zither), bầu (monochord) and nguyệt (two-stringed long neck moon flute). 

The performances will be supplemented with talks by the artists, and video clips on the history of cải lương will also be screened. 

“Our artists will talk about cải lương and tuồng – two unique art genres of Vietnamese theatre in the South. This will help young audiences learn more about the country’s culture, art and lifestyle in different periods,” said People’s Artist and theatre director Trần Ngọc Giàu, chairman of the association. 

 The programme debuted last weekend with young actresses of Sen Việt Theatre and Hồng Vân Drama Troupe. They performed and talked about vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) songs, which are often used in cải lương, featuring the dreams and hopes of southern farmers. 

“Through our programme, we want to introduce and share our art with audiences,” said actress Ngọc Gấm of Sen Việt Theatre. 

The theatre, established in 2020, has 25 veteran and young actors.  

The theatre is owned and managed by Meritorious Artist Lê Nguyên Đạt, who has more than 15 years of theatre experience, particularly in cải lương. 

Đạt uses students from leading art schools, such as the HCM City University of Theatre & Cinematography and HCM City University of Culture, to help improve their skills and develop a professional career. 

“Sen Việt Theatre offers shows at just VNĐ50,000 (US$2) a ticket. Our actors want to bring the art closer to students and workers,” said Đạt. 

Truyền Nghề 2022 will be staged every Sunday at 5B Võ VănTần Street in District 3. It will also be released on YouTube. — VNS