GREAT LEADER: Well-known actor Đình Toàn (left) performs in Tả Quân Lê Văn Duyệt – Người Mang 9 Án Tử (General Lê Văn Duyệt – Nine Deaths), a drama that portrays the life of General Lê Văn Duyệt, who was the Governor of Gia Định Citadel (later Sài Gòn and now HCM City) under the Nguyễn Dynaty in the 19th century. — Photo courtesy of IDECAF Theatre

Thu Anh

HCM CITY — A historical play by IDECAF, one of HCM City’s leading private theatres, will be restaged on August 16 to commemorate the country’s war invalids and martyrs.

Tả Quân Lê Văn Duyệt – Người Mang 9 Án Tử (General Lê Văn Duyệt – Nine Deaths) is part of the theatre’s long-term project on Vietnamese history launched last year.

The new version combines drama, music and cải lương (reformed opera), a traditional form of Vietnamese theatre which began 100 years ago in the South.

The play’s director, Hoàng Duẩn, and his staff have worked to renew the play to meet the taste of young people.

Beautiful costumes, and light and sound effects are featured. Songs and music pieces based on Vietnamese folk music were composed to highlight the themes of the show.

REMEMBERING MARTYRS: IDECAF Theatre will restage Tả Quân Lê Văn Duyệt – Người Mang 9 Án Tử (General Lê Văn Duyệt – Nine Deaths), a drama on Vietnamese history, with new concepts and techniques on August 16. — Photo courtesy of IDECAF Theatre

“We hope our historical shows will help the youth, particularly children and teenagers, learn more about the country's history and culture,” said director Duẩn.

The 90-minute drama Tả Quân Lê Văn Duyệt – Người Mang 9 Án Tử highlights patriotism and loyalty.

It depicts the life of General Lê Văn Duyệt, who was the Governor of Gia Định Citadel (later Sài Gòn and now HCM City) under the Nguyễn Dynaty in the 19th century.

Duyệt was born in 1764 in Tiền Giang Province’s Cù Lao Hổ (now Hòa Khánh Village). He began his career by supporting Emperor Gia Long (Nguyễn Phúc Ánh), founder of the Nguyễn Dynasty, when he was 17.

Duyệt instructed southern people to dig the Vĩnh Tế Canal linking provinces of the Cửu Long (Mekong) River Delta region. The canal helped local people develop their farms and business.

Besides working to build dyke and irrigation systems, he was known for his military talent and fight against corrupt officials and sycophantic courtiers.

Thanks to Duyệt’s management, Gia Định developed into a populous and prosperous area.

He died in 1832.

Lăng Ông, known as the Tomb of the Marshal, is the resting place of General Duyệt. The tomb is located in HCM City’s Bình Thạnh District near the Bà Chiểu Market.

Lăng Ông is recognised as a national historical and cultural relic and is a famous tourist site in the city.

The new version of Tả Quân Lê Văn Duyệt – Người Mang 9 Án Tử will feature talented artists Đình Toàn as Duyệt, and Đại Nghĩa and Hoàng Trinh.

The drama will be staged at 8pm every Sunday, starting on July 21, at Thanh Niên Theatre, 4 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street in District 1.

Pioneer

Director Duẩn became famous in 2002 after working for the State-owned HCM City Theatre.

In 2013, he won the prestigious Cù Nèo Vàng (Golden Tree) prize for the year's Best Drama Director annually given by HCM City-based Tuổi Trẻ Cười (The Comic Youth) magazine.

He won for his comedy, Đám Cưới Thời @ (Modern Style Wedding), which examined social problems in an urban setting.

His art combines both Eastern and Western styles based on his experiences studying at home and abroad.

Duẩn has also studied Vietnamese puppetry.

PUPPET MASTER: Theatre director Hoàng Duẩn has a deep passion for Vietnamese puppetry. His knowledge and experience in puppetry enhanced his talent to stage dramas. — Photo courtesy of Phương Nam Theatre

After becoming involved in drama, he understood how knowledge and experience in puppetry enhanced his talent on stage.

"I have a deep passion for the art of puppetry. I wanted to create and perform on a stage filled with light, sound and visual effects for children," said Duẩn, a graduate of the city's University of Theatre and Cinematography.

He works for the HCM City Puppetry Troupe as a puppeteer and director.

He has created magic on stage, and has the audience, particularly the young, spellbound during and after the show.

Most of his works are fables about people and animals that enable the audience to discover the secrets of the world and life. — VNS