The national traditional theatre contest 2023 Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ discovered new talent in cải lương (reformed opera), the south’s most popular theatre form. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

HCM CITY — Young actress Nguyễn Thị Như Ý of Hậu Giang Province won first prize at the 2023 Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) Awards, an annual cải lương (reformed opera) competition launched by HCM City Television.

She won the title of Golden Bell after showing her singing and dancing skills in an excerpt from the play Liệt Phụ Kêu Oan (A Woman Stands before the Jury) in the final round of the contest which aired on HTV9 channel on September 24.

The play features the beauty of southern people and their culture. 

Ý’s performances captured the hearts of judges and audiences during the three-month contest.

She performed with support of her older colleagues, guest artists Thanh Hằng and Minh Trường of HCM City.  

"I will improve both my skills and creativity to advance the power of cải lương, a traditional gerne of Vietnamese theatre which began 100 years ago in the South,” 20-year-old Ý said. 

Ý’s competitors, actress Trần Thị Yến Khoa of Hậu Giang and actor Phan Văn Nhân of Kiên Giang Province, won the second and third prizes titled Silver Bell and Bronze Bell. 

Young actress Nguyễn Thị Như Ý of Hậu Giang Province (right), winner at the national traditional theatre contest Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) organised by Hồ Chí Minh City Television this year. — Photo courtesy of the organiser

The three were chosen from a field of 28 contestants who reach the preliminary round in July. 

The contest, Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ, which began in 2006, has discovered and encouraged new talents in theatre to learn about cải lương. 

This year, the contest attracted 149 amateur and professional artists across the country. Its rounds began airing in July on HTV9 to millions of viewers at home and abroad.  

The organiser invited veteran performers, such as Meritorious Artist Phượng Loang and Thu Vân, to support candidates during the contest’s rounds. 

“Our contest encourages young artists to develop their careers. Many Golden Bell winners have brought their art to greater heights of cải lương,” said theatre director and critic Thanh Hiệp from the HCM City Theatre Artists’ Association, who is also a member of the contest’s organising board. — VNS