The Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Theatre’s Mút Chỉ Cà Tha (Remote Isle) was awarded the A prize for best theatrical work in 2020 from the HCM City Theatre Association. File photo courtesy of the producer

HCM CITY — The HCM City Theatre Association on Friday granted awards to critically and publicly acclaimed theatrical works created in 2020 at an awards ceremony held in HCM City.

The Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Theatre’s Mút Chỉ Cà Tha (Remote Isle) was given the A prize for best theatrical work.

The play, written by Ngọc Phụng and directed by Meritorious Artist Thành Hội, is based on popular writer Nguyễn Ngọc Tư’s short story Thương Quá Rau Răm about the life of people living on a remote isle called Mút Cà Tha, and their neighbourhood.

The association also awarded an A prize for the historical cải lương (reformed opera) play Lê Công Kỳ Án (Tales of Gia Định’s Commander) produced by the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre.

The play was written by Meritorious Artist and scriptwriter Hữu Danh and Phạm Văn Đằng, and directed by People’s Artist Trần Ngọc Giàu and Meritorious Artist Mỹ Hằng.

The tragedy depicts the controversial life and death of Lê Văn Duyệt, a national hero who contributed to the growth of South Việt Nam in the 19th century.

In addition, the organiser gave B prizes for the dramatic play Búp Bê Không Biết Khóc (Dolls Don’t Know How to Cry) produced by the Hero Film Entertainment Limited Company, and the circus play Mekong Show by the Phương Nam Art Theatre.

A series of four short plays by the HCM City Small Theatre received a B prize. The plays include Keo của Kiệt (Miser), Tình Yêu Bùng Binh (Love at a Roundabout), Của Trời Cho (Gift from God), and Giấy Giới Thiệu Diệu Kỳ (Magical Introduction Paper).

People’s Artist Trần Minh Ngọc, chairman of the HCM City Theatre Association, said: “All five theatrical works made a deep impression on audiences, and were highly appreciated by critics.”

He said that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, theatres in HCM City have faced difficulties, but have tried to remain open and ensure the safety of the audiences. Directors found new ways of staging and invested a lot of effort to make the performances effective.

“We hope the awards contribute to creating more positive energy for theatres to continue staging new works in 2021,” Ngọc said.  VNS