Young actress My Trần performs in Ngẫm Kiều (Song of Kiều), a musical by People’s Artist Hồng Vân, staged by the HCM City-based private drama troupe Hồng Vân. — Photo courtesy of producer

HCM CITY — The musical drama Ngẫm Kiều (Song of Kiều), a production based on the 18th-century Vietnamese epic poem Truyện Kiều (The Tale of Kiều), will be staged on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in HCM City.     

Poet Nguyễn Du (1766-1820) wrote the epic poem, which is recognised as one of Việt Nam’s top literary works. The poet recounts the life and trials of Thúy Kiều, a talented young woman who is forced to sacrifice herself to save her family.

The production Ngẫm Kiều, written by Lê Quốc Nam and directed by People’s Artist Hồng Vân of HCM City’s private drama troupe Hồng Vân, focuses on Kiều and her love for Từ Hải, leader of a rebel gang.     

In the musical, Việt Nam’s traditional moral values are featured. 

“My work highlights the beauty of Vietnamese women through Kiều and her love,” said the play’s director Vân, who has more than 25 years of experience in the industry

Vân owns the Hồng Vân Drama Troupe and Phú Nhuận Drama Troupe, both leading private theaters of the region.

In Ngẫm Kiều, Vietnamese music and songs are used.

Vân also spent a large sum on costumes, accessories and interior design suited to the play’s theme.  

The play stars young actors, including Quốc Đại as Từ Hải and My Trần as Kiều, who are graduates of art schools.  

The musical premiered on Sunday and attracted 300 guests.

“Young actors in the musical Ngẫm Kiều have high-quality voice and performance skills. I hope their performance will have better light and sound effects in the special show on New Year’s Eve,” said the play’s scriptwriter Nam.    

The two shows will be staged at 8pm on New Year’s Eve and New Year's Day at the Garden Mall on 190 Thuận Kiều Street in District 5. — VNS