TRADITIONAL ART FORM: Tuồng consists of singing and dancing accompanied by music, and is highly stylised and filled with symbolism. — Photo courtesy of HCM City Tuồng Theatre

By Thu Anh 

HCM CITY — The Đồng Ấu Bạch Long Troupe, one of HCM City’s leading private theatres, has returned with a series of new performances of tuồng or hát bội (classical drama), a Vietnamese traditional theatre genre that originated in the 12th century. 

The troupe will stage new historical plays featuring national heroes and events in different periods under the Trần, Ngô, Đinh and Lý dynasties. 

The first show is Trần Quốc Toản Ra Quân (Young Hero Trần Quốc Toản in the Battle), a tuồng production featuring Trần Quốc Toản of the Trần Dynasty who was 16 and well known for his active role in the war of resistance of Đại Việt (now Việt Nam) against the Mongol invasion in 1282. 

Young actors who will perform include Khánh Liên, Gia Lâm and Hồng Quyên. 

They will add music to tuồng to meet the taste of young audiences.

Aside from performing, the artists will also speak to the audiences with question and answer sessions, and dialogue.

SUSTAINING TRADITION: Young artists from the private Đồng Ấu Bạch Long Troupe are helping to preserve and develop tuồng, a traditional genre of Vietnamese theatre which began in the 12th century. — Photo courtesy of the theatre

Tuồng consists of singing and dancing accompanied by music, and is highly stylised and filled with symbolism. 

Its themes include monarchist loyalty and patriotism which help define the play’s structure, language, music, and characters' personalities.

Performers, in traditional costumes weighing up to several kilos, use their body, from the fingers to the elbows to all of the muscles, to move on stage. They sing and dance at the same time, and express the emotions of the characters. 

“We will help young talents to develop their career, while preserving and bringing the traditional art forms closer to young audiences,” said the troupe’s founder, art director and actor Bạch Long, who has 40 years of experience in the industry. 

Đồng Âu Bạch Long Troupe, which opened in 1992, is composed of 20 skilled actors, mostly graduates of leading art schools in the city and neighbouring provinces. The troupe offers performances in the weekend at the Nón Lá Theatre, 55B Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street in District 3. 

Tuồng star

Born to a traditional family in HCM City, Long began his love for tuồng from his father – People’s Artist Thành Tôn – a well-known artist of the region who offered training to young talents in the 1970s and 80s.

Long improved his skills under the instruction of famous artists of leading State-owned theatres. He performed in many plays and TV shows. 

“For a true artist, his or her beauty is nothing without performance skills,” said Long. 

THEATRE VETERAN: Theatre actor, director and producer Bạch Long has more than 40 years to perform and expand tuồng among young audiences. — Photo courtesy of the theatre

In 1992, he opened the Đồng Ấu Troupe which consisted of teenage artists. The troupe attracted and trained more than 100 young actors, including Meritorious Artist and cải lương stars Quế Trân, Tú Sương and Lê Thanh Thảo.  

Long’s troupe travelled to many provinces to offer performances. His artists have also performed in charity programmes launched by the city’s Theatre Actors’ Association and HTV.

But he closed his troupe in 2010, unable to sustain it financially in the new entertainment market.

Long has worked with his partner, Huỳnh Anh Tuấn, founder of IDECAF, the city’s leading private drama theatre, to reopen his troupe and offer shows aimed at young people. Tuấn also owns and manages Nón Lá Theatre. 

“Veteran artists of IDECAF are working to help young talents from Đồng Ấu Bạch Long Troupe to improve their vocal and performance skills,” said 62-year-old Long.  

“We will make each show a lesson, with images, sounds and music, that provides young audiences with wonderful insights about the country's history, traditional culture and theatre.” 

“I hope my actors will develop their professional career and the troupe will become a place for people to enjoy tuồng in a unique way," he added. — VNS