SINGING COMPETITION: Songs and plays about Vietnamese history will be performed at the TV game show Tài Tử Miệt Vườn (Traditional music of the South) aired this weekend on Đồng Tháp Radio & Television. Photo courtesy of the organizer.

ĐỒNG THÁP — The TV game show Tài Tử Miệt Vườn (Traditional Music of the South) featuring traditional music and theatre of the South will air on Đồng Tháp Radio & Television this weekend.  

The show encourages young people to learn about cải lương (reformed opera), the South’s most popular theatre form. 

It attracts nearly 800 candidates, many of whom are young farmers living in provinces of the Mekong River Delta region. 

The semi-final round will feature 15 candidates who have a chance to work with skilled performers, such as celebrated artists Kim Tử Long, Ngọc Huyền and Hữu Quốc, to prepare for their performance.

They will perform vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) songs and cải lương plays in praise of the country and patriotism. 

Six finalists will compete for the first prize of VNĐ80 million (US$3,500) in cash. The final round is scheduled to be organised in December.

ESTEEMED JUROR: Cải lương star Võ Minh Lâm, a member of the jury of the TV game show Tài Tử Miệt Vườn (Traditional music of the South) organised by Đồng Tháp Radio & Television. Photo courtesy of the organiser.

The jury includes cải lương star Võ Minh Lâm of the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, one of the region’s leading traditional art troupes. 

Lâm, 29, has played leading roles in 12 dramas and performing in 120 videos and TV shows. 

He won several top prizes at national theatre festivals and contests.

“Working with candidates in the show Tài Tử Miệt Vườn is a chance for me to improve my career from younger artists who love cải lương with all their heart and energy,” said Lâm, winner of Chuông Vàng (Golden Bell) in 2006, a national cải lương singing contest organised annually by HCM City Television. 

“Our show targets young audience. We want to encourage young people to learn more about Vietnamese music and theatre,” said Ngô Thị Ngọc Hạnh, deputy director of Đồng Tháp Radio & TV, a member of the organising board.

According to Hạnh, the producer, Đồng Tháp Radio & TV plans to work with radio and TV stations in the region, including HCM City TV, to offer new shows for the winners. 

Tài Tử Miệt Vườn will be aired live every Sunday starting on September 11 on Đồng Tháp TV to serve millions of viewers around the region. — VNS