HCM CITY — A cải lương (reformed opera) show by artists from Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre will be organised twice a month at a hotel in downtown HCM City.

According to the theatre and Asia Media Company, the two organisers, the concerts on the 11th floor of Oscar Hotel will last two hours.

Quốc Kiệt, the theatre’s director, said in recent years cải lương concerts have faced difficulties in finding venues and audiences.

“It is good for us to have a venue like this. Though the stage in the hotel is not a professional place for cải lương, it is located right in the city centre.”

Beside Trần Hữu Trang’s artists, other renowned cải lương artists will be invited.

Kỳ Yến of Asia Media, who loves the art form, said the company is spending money on the programme not for profits but in the hope audiences can discern the true value of cải lương.

The hall has a capacity of only 200, and if the ticket money is not enough to cover expenses, the company would subsidise them, she added.

The first show will be held on June 16 to mark the 100th day of composer Viễn Châu’s death.

Famous cải lương artists Bạch Tuyết, Kiều Phượng Loan, Giang Châu, Kim Tử Long, Phượng Loan, Trọng Phúc, Ngọc Đợi, Lê Hồng Thắm, and others will perform on that day.

After the event scholarships will be awarded to 15 children of poor artists.

Tickets cost VNĐ300,000 (US$13) and VNĐ500,000 (US$23). — VNS