People’s Artist Hồng Vân's new web drama Đại Kê Chạy Đi (Run Run, Đại Kê) about family and love on YouTube has attracted millions of viewers. Photo courtesy of the producer

HCM CITY Vietnamese theatrical artists have introduced new video products online while theatres remain closed due to Covid-19.

People’s Artist and theatre director Hồng Vân’s new web drama Đại Kê Chạy Đi (Run Run, Đại Kê) about family and love is being shown every Thursday at 8pm on the YouTube channel Hồng Vân Entertainment.

The six-episode show has earned more than 10 million views for the first three episodes.

In only two weeks, the number of subscribers to Vân’s channel increased to 503,000 from 300,000.

Viewer Linh Nguyễn commented on YouTube that the film was very good and that she could not wait until the next episode.

Directed by Hoàng Tuấn Cường, Đại Kê Chạy Đi is about a sick mother and her naughty son named Đại Kê, who frequently quarrel with each other but love each other.

The mother, played by Vân, hides an illness from her son while forcing him to grow up.

The son, played by young comic actor Tuấn Dũng, tries to earn money for his mother to receive a cure.

Veteran actors Hoàng Sơn and Lê Giang, and young actors Lê Lộc and Di Dương, are also in the film. 

“Đại Kê Chạy Đi revolves around the topic of family and daily life. It promises to bring joy and fun and send meaningful messages to audiences,” said Vân, 54, owner of Phú Nhuận and Chợ Lớn theatres.

Her theatres have been closed since March due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

“The closure of the two theatres was a big deal,” said Vân, who began her career as an actress at the Small Theatre of HCM City in 1989.

In 2001, she opened her first theatre Phú Nhuận in Phú Nhuận District.

Vân has staged and acted in famous plays like Người Đàn Bà Uống Rượu (A Woman is Drinking), Đàn Bà Mấy Tay (Iron Lady), Số Đỏ (Dumb Luck), and Kỹ Nghệ Lấy Tây (How to Marry Foreigners).

She has also appeared in TV series and movies, as well as TV shows as a host.

In recognition of her contribution to the country’s culture and arts, Vân was awarded the title of People’s Artist.

In another YouTube offering, People’s Artist and cải lương (reformed opera) star Kim Tử Long recently uploaded a new music video titled Corona - Ghét Lắm Nha - Xa Ta Ra (Corona - I Hate You - Keep Away from Me) on his YouTube channel.

The vọng cổ (nostalgic tune) song was co-written by Long and playwright Tô Thiên Kiều.

In the MV, Long calls on people to wash their hands, wear face masks, stay at home, and stop gathering in public places. 

“I hope the MV helps raise people’s awareness about prevention of Covid-19,” the 55-year-old said, adding that he plans to screen his largest live show Thánh Đường Sân Khấu (Sanctum of Cải Lương) on YouTube to serve his fans.

Thánh Đường Sân Khấu took place in October in Hà Nội and HCM City, and received a warm welcome from both critics and audiences.

The show included 20 extracts from popular cải lương plays, such as Gió Lạnh Biên Thùy (Wind Blows through the Border), Đoạn Tình Buồn (Sad Love) and Câu Thơ Yên Ngựa (Poetry and Saddle).

The show featured more than 30 performers, including actors Trường Sơn, Phượng Hằng, Phương Hồng Thủy, Vietnamese-American Ngọc Huyền and his wife, actress Trinh Trinh.

Earlier, Long had planned to stage Thánh Đường Sân Khấu at Trưng Vương Theatre in Đà Nẵng in late March, but it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Long began his professional career at Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, one of the region’s leading cải lương troupes, in 1985.

With his strong voice and rapid improvement in performance skills, he soon became a bright star.

In 1992 he won the Trần Hữu Trang Golden Prize for Best Actor, theatre's biggest honor, conferred by the HCM City Theatre Association.

He has performed with several cải lương troupes in HCM City and southern provinces, and often travels to perform in remote areas.  VNS