HÀ NỘI — Talented HCM City-based theatre director Đoàn Bá passed away at 3.55pm on August 21 (local time) in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He was 78.

He was born in the southern Sóc Trăng Province and was the director of Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre for 16 years. He not only was an experienced cải lương (reformed opera) director in HCM City, but was also a sincere teacher at the HCM City Theatre and Cinematography College. He trained various noted drama artistes such as Hữu Châu, Hữu Nghĩa, Quang Minh and Hồng Đào.

Bá staged 300 cải lương and drama plays, many of which are considered to be models for the domestic theatre sector, such as Rạng Ngọc Côn Sơn (Bright Gem in Côn Sơn), Tình Yêu và Lời Đáp (Love and Reply) and Kẻ Ngoại Tình (An Adulterer).

Noted cải lương artist Minh Vương said, “He changed my artistic life when he gave me the role of Nguyễn Trãi in Rạng Ngọc Côn Sơn.

“I was 31 at that time and had only done the roles of handsome gentlemen falling in love with beautiful ladies.

“Bá helped me to analyse the character of Nguyễn Trãi so that I could give the role my best. He also let me be creative. Hundreds of shows of the play have been performed in large theatres in the city. The role of Nguyễn Trãi is a significant role in my life. I highly appreciate Bá’s support in the play.”

Many artistes based in HCM City have expressed their sadness at Bá’s death on their Facebook pages.

Artiste Mỹ Uyên wrote, “Maestro Đoàn Bá, a giant tree of the southern theatre, was my beloved teacher and the teacher of many generations of artistes…”

In June this year, the director’s family organised a press conference to announce his plan to stage Ben Hur with the participation of young directors from the United States. That’s why many of his friends and students were stunned on hearing the news.

His family members said he was suffering from a serious kidney disease when he visited his children in the United States.

His funeral will be held in the United States. — VNS