Meritorious Artist Thành Lộc (first from the right) of the IDECAF Drama Troupe has worked on a series of dramatic plays for children. Photo courtesy of the producer

By Thu Anh 

For the first time, veteran theatre artists are on a par with young actors at the 2020 Mai Vàng (Golden Apricot) Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious art awards presented by Người Lao Động (The Labourer) newspaper in HCM City.

This year, four veteran artists have been nominated for the  awards, signalling a break with tradition. Previously, it was an unwritten rule that only young performers were highlighted at the awards show. 

The annual awards, first organised in 1995, have become popular among millions of people and Người Lao Động readers, including many farmers, workers and students who have voted via mail or internet for their favourite singers, composers, fashion designers, and movie and theatre artists and directors.

While the organisers are still working hard to count the votes, which began last month, audiences are predicting wins for one of four theatre actors, Thanh Điền and Hữu Châu of cải lương (reformed opera), and Thành Lộc and Thành Hội in drama.

Meritorious Artist Thanh Điền played a leading role in the blockbuster production Diễn Viên Hạng Ba (Amateur Actor), staged by the HCM City-based private drama troupe Hồng Hạc last year. His performance left a strong impression on audiences, though the 73-year-old has worked primarily as a theatre producer in recent years. 

Artist Thanh Điền (left) played the lead role in the blockbuster production Diễn Viên Hạng Ba (Amateur Actor), staged by the HCM City-based private drama troupe Hồng Hạc. His performance left a strong impression on audiences, though the 73-year-old has primarily worked as a theatre producer in recent years. Photo courtesy of the producer

The long-term project began in 2016 after 15 years of writing, recording and filming by Điền and his young staff. It has received support from the HCM City Television and HCM City Theatre Association, as well as from many young and veteran performers from the city and southern provinces.   

Famous extracts from historical plays performed by veteran artists in the 1950s and 1970s are featured through the project. Original traditional tunes of cải lương are highlighted. 

"Through Điền’s art and his career, theatre audiences, especially young people, can learn more about cải lương, a 100-year-old traditional art of the South,” said theatre director and critic Thanh Hiệp of the HCM City Theatre’s Association.  

“I was interested in the way Điền performs and uses his art to send messages to audiences through the stage. He mixed Vietnamese theatre with modern drama into his show. Điền has a good chance to capture the top award for the year’s Best Theatre Male Actor,” he added. 

Nominated for the 2020 Mai Vàng Awards, Meritorious Artist Thanh Điền earned praise from critics and fans when he founded 100 Năm Sân Khấu Cải Lương (A Hundred Years of Cải Lương Theatre), a drama project featuring cải lương, a traditional music genre of the south. The project includes shows performed by veteran artists. Photo courtesy of the producer

Other 'Golden Apricot' nominee for Best Male Theatre Actor goes to Meritorious Thành Lộc of the IDECAF Drama Troupe. 

Lộc has worked as an actor, director and producer for a series of drama plays for children. 

His latest production, Tấm Cám (Tấm and Cám), made its debut in June and was a new version 20 years after its first release by IDECAF. 

The 120-minute musical work’s theme centres on love, honesty, betrayal and justice. It is based on the fairy tale of the same name, considered to be the Vietnamese version of Cinderella.

In the play, Lộc, one of the region’s few professional comic actors, once again showed his acting skills. 

"I was very happy to see that parents and their kids are captivated by our musical, which is still new for Vietnamese kids. I cried in joy while my audiences screamed and laughed at the show,” said the play’s producer Lộc, who also plays a lead role.    

Lộc, 58, spent several hundred million đồng on restaging the play, and urged his staff "not to make mistakes".

A series of new songs and colourful images are used. Costume designers and specialists in sound and light added a realistic element to the play through beautiful clothes, accessories and interior design.

Lộc’s fans expect that Tấm Cám will help the actor win at the 2020 Mai Vang Awards. 

Actors Châu and Hội have had successful changes in their career, and have also worked to train young talents. 

The 2020 Golden Apricot Awards' vote count will close in December and the presentation show will take place early next year. VNS