HCM CITY— HCM City’s Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương (reformed opera) theatre, one of the region’s leading traditional art troupes, is preparing a series of new shows to entertain farmers during Tết (Lunar New Year), which begins January 28.

The two shows will focus on historical events. Veteran and young talents like Tú Sương, Võ Minh Lam and Lê Thanh Thảo will perform in Hoa Vương Tình Mộng (Hero’s Love Story) and Bão Táp Nguyên Sa (The Storm), both of which depict heroes’ sacrifices for the country.  

They will also stage Hồn Ma Báo Oán (The Ghost) and Hiu Hiu Gió Bấc (The Wind), comedy shows featuring the year’s top social and cultural events. 

The plays, directed by young artists Quốc Kiệt and Lê Trung Thảo, will include sound and light effects to lure young fans.

Theatre director and People’s Artist Trần Ngọc Giàu said that a group of 20 young artists will travel to perform in the rural districts of Cần Giờ, Bình Chánh, Nhà Bè, Củ Chi and Hóc Môn.

“We will offer free shows at an outdoor stage located in cultural houses for rural residents, who love cải lương but have fewer entertainment choices than their urban counterparts,” he said.

Cà Mau Province’s Hương Tràm Cải Lương Troupe plans to offer quality shows for local farmers. Dozens of artists will travel around the province to perform for free or for only VNĐ10,000 to 25,000 (US$1.1).

Talented artists such as Kim Hiền and Minh Sang will take part in extracts from popular operas like Huyền Thoại Người Mẹ (The Legend of Mother) and Bên Dòng Nhị Nguyệt (Living on Nhị Nguyệt River), works which describe the love of parents for their children.

They will also perform Ông Táo (Kitchen God), a comedy featuring dances and songs based on traditional legends.

On the 23rd of the last lunar month, Vietnamese families will clean their kitchens and worship Ông Táo as he leaves for heaven to report about the family to the God of Heaven. He will return to the kitchen on the 30th.  

“Our play Ông Táo will reflect farmers’ daily lives, including work and family problems, and will have lessons and entertain the audience,"  Nguyễn Quốc Tín, head of the troupe, said.

"We face many challenges in offering a stable income to our performers and staging quality plays. However, we always offer free performances every Tết to send our best wishes to our people," Tín said.

He said that he hoped that local companies and organisations would offer more financial support to traditional troupes.

Last year during Tết his troupe travelled around Cà Mau and neighbouring provinces such as Hậu Giang and Đồng Tháp and performed for more than 35,000 people.  —VNS