NEW CONCEPTS: Young and veteran artists from private Sen Việt Theatre offer new concepts of Vietnamese theatre to meet the taste of young people. — Photo courtesy of Sen Việt Theatre

Thu Anh

HCM CITY — Famous theatre actress Bình Tinh will perform in a new show featuring female General Bùi Thị Xuân, a national heroine who served the Tây Sơn Dynasty in the late 18th century.

Tinh as Gen Xuân will use new and experimental skills in Tây Sơn Nữ Tướng – Chói Rạng Sơn Hà (The Country and The Female General), a production of the 100-year-old cải lương (reformed opera).

She will appear with young artists from the private Sen Việt Theatre of HCM City. They are working to prepare for their show at the 2024 National Cải Lương Festival, which takes place in November 25 in Cần Thơ City.

“My art features unique styles of cải lương and tuồng (classical drama), two special theatre genres that originated in southern and central Việt Nam,” said actress Tinh, who has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry.

Last year, Tinh was honoured at the Đào Tấn Awards organised by the National Cultural Promotion and Preservation Research Institute and its partners.

She was awarded in the individual category for her contribution to preserve tuồng, a traditional genre of Vietnamese theatre in the central region that originated in the 12th century.

The show, Tây Sơn Nữ Tướng – Chói Rạng Sơn Hà, highlights patriotism, bravery and honesty.

It portrays Gen Xuân’s life and career as a native of Bình Khê (now Bình Định Province) who joined the Tây Sơn peasant uprising, and won many battles.

Tây Sơn Dynasty (1778-1802) was founded after three Nguyễn brothers – Nguyễn Nhạc, Nguyễn Huệ and Nguyễn Lữ – from the village of Tây Sơn rebelled against the Nguyễn Lords and Trịnh Lords.

Tây Sơn Dynasty ended the century-long war between the Trịnh and Nguyễn families, ended the Lê Dynasty, and united the country for the first time in 200 years.

Gen Xuân was reputedly a very brave and strong woman. She helped the Tây Sơn army train elephants for combat, and became known as one of the five principal women in the Tây Sơn Dynasty.

“We will offer Vietnamese theatre in the style of the South. We hope to leave a fresh impression on theatregoers in Cần Thơ,” said the show’s producer and director Lê Nguyên Đạt.

Meritorious Artist Đạt spent nearly two years on the show’s production.

He invested a lot to perfect his art with images, sounds and music to help “young audiences enjoy traditional theatre and learn more about their history and culture as well,” he said.

He used young talents of cải lương, such as Trọng Nhân and Bảo Ngọc, to play lead roles.

“I wanted to offer a new and modern performance that meets the taste of young people,” said Đạt.

HISTORICAL PLAY: Well-know actress Bình Tinh performs in Tây Sơn Nữ Tướng-Chói Rạng Sơn Hà (The Country and The Female General), a production of the 100-year-old cải lương (reformed opera). The play is targeted to youngsters. — Photo courtesy of Sen Việt Theatre

Private troupe

Sen Việt Theatre opened in 2020 and is composed of 20 skilled actors, mostly young artists and graduates of leading art schools in the region.

One of the theatre’s highlighted shows is Hương Sắc Phương Nam (The Colour of the South), a programme that includes tài tử music, considered the prototype for vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương.

The 60-minute show tells the stories of southern people, their history, culture and lifestyle in different periods. The artists use their art to depict images of beautiful rivers, green fields and forests, villages and animals.

The theatre’s latest show is called Lá Cờ Thêu Sáu Chữ Vàng (Embroidered Flag With Six Golden Words), featuring Vietnamese historical events and national heroes.

It tells the story of young hero 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 will be accompanied by Vietnamese folk instruments, such as tranh (Vietnamese zither), bầu (Vietnamese monochord) and nguyệt (two-stringed long neck moon flute).

The theatre’s shows are staged at the city’s Theatre Association at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3. — VNS