HISTORICAL PLAY: Actors from the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre perform in 'Câu Hò Đất Mẹ' (Folk Tunes), a production about the couple Lê Hồng Phong and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai - two famous revolutionaries in the anti-French war. Photo courtesy of the producer

HCM CITY — Artists from the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre are working on a new play about Vietnamese history to celebrate the Reunification Day (April 30).

They will stage Câu Hò Đất Mẹ (Folk Tunes), a cải lương (reformed opera) production featuring the couple Lê Hồng Phong and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai -- two famous revolutionaries in the anti-French war.

The opera highlights Phong’s love for his wife, Khai, one of the prominent female members of the Indochinese Communist Party in the 1930s.

The themes of patriotism and honesty are also featured.

It stars talents Lê Tứ and Hồng Thắm as Phong and Khai, respectively. Young performers Hà Như, Trọng Hiếu and Hồng Quyên are also included.

“Câu Hò Đất Mẹ features historical events. Our artists have worked to stage it in a realistic style,” said the play’s director, Lê Trung Thảo, in an interview with local media.

“We read documents and books about the career of revolutionaries Phong and Khai. This helped to breathe life into the play.”

STAR THESPIAN: Talented actress Hồng Thắm (left) as revolutionary Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai in the play 'Câu Hò Đất Mẹ' (Folk Tunes) staged by the HCM City-based Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre. Photo courtesy of the producer

Phong, whose real name was Lê Huy Doãn, was born in 1902 in Nghệ An Province. He met Nguyễn Ái Quốc, later known as President Hồ Chí Minh, in China in 1924, and then joined the Việt Nam Association of Revolutionary Youth League founded by Quốc.

He was sent to receive military training in China and Russia in 1926-1928.

He was the second leader and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam.

In 1934, he married his comrade, Khai.

He was jailed and died in Côn Đảo Island in 1942 after months of torture by French colonialists when he was only 40 years old. His wife was executed by firing squad one year later in Hóc Môn (now HCM City).

“In Câu Hò Đất Mẹ, we will offer Vietnamese drama in the style of the South,” said Meritorious Artist Thảo, adding that his play has a new and experimental concept.

The play Câu Hò Đất Mẹ is scheduled to be staged for students in secondary schools and universities around the city in April and May, starting on April 30. VNS