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| Artists of the Thế Giới Trẻ Theatre, owned by HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography, perform in the historic play Tổ Quốc Nơi Cuối Con Đường (The Country), about the late President Hồ Chí Minh’s time in Hong Kong in 1931. — Photo courtesy of the producer |
Viet Nam News
HCM CITY — A cải lương (reformed opera) play on the late President Hồ Chí Minh will be staged free for workers in HCM City this weekend.
The 90-minute work, Tổ Quốc Nơi Cuối Con Đường (The Country), highlights the revolutionary career of Nguyễn Ái Quốc, the President’s other name, a Communist and patriot who dedicated his life to national independence.
It features actors of Thế Giới Trẻ Theatre, owned by HCM City university of Theatre & Cinematography.
It won three Golden Medal prizes for the Best Play, Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress at The National Cải Lương Festival 2018 in Long An Province in September.
The play’s producer has worked with HCM City Labour Union to offer free performances of Tổ Quốc Nơi Cuối Con Đường for more than 6,000 union members, who work in the city’s industrial parks and export processing zones.
“Labourers are encouraged to join our free performances. We hope to entertain labourers and help them learn about theatre,” said Hồ Xuân Lâm, deputy chairman of HCM City Labour Union.
Tổ Quốc Nơi Cuối Con Đường portrays the time of Nguyễn Ái Quốc, under the Chinese name Sung Man Cho, in 1931 — when he was arrested by British authorities in Hong Kong.
Nguyễn Ái Quốc was imprisoned in Hong Kong and transferred to the French government in Indochina.
A year and a half earlier, the Imperial Court in Vinh (Nghệ An Province - Annam) had sentenced Nguyễn Ái Quốc to death.
The play highlights Nguyễn Ái Quốc’s foreign friends, including British solicitor Francis Loseby, who played roles in helping Nguyễn Ái Quốc masquerade as a wealthy Chinese merchant before boarding a boat leaving Hong Kong for Vladivostok and then to Moscow.
The play’s director Lê Nguyên Đạt spent more than VNĐ2 billion (US$85,800) on the production.
“I wanted Tổ Quốc Nơi Cuối Con Đường to be a perfect work to honour President Hồ Chí Minh, who has appeared many times in theatre,” said director Đạt, adding that his actors worked hard to present a new performing style for cải lương.
The historic play will be staged at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday at the Công Nhân Theatre, 30 Trần Hưng Đạo Street in District 1, through November. — VNS
