To keep his approach fresh, Giang has employed young musician Duc Tri and fashion designer Si Hoang – who will fill the stage with the beauty of their creations.
“We spent over VND1 billion (US$61,000), a big sum, on the production because we hope to complete our stage with more modern technology and techniques,” says Nguyen Khanh Hoang, director of the HCM City Drama Theatre.
Like Giang and Hoang, stage designer Si Hoang believes traditional art forms such as drama and Cai Luong (reformed opera) have no hope of reaching out to youngsters if directors and performers cling too old and boring performance styles.
“To make an impression on the young audience, we need new and distinctive moves,” says Hoang, who is also recognised as a professional stage designer.
In an attempt to simplify the play’s theme, Si Hoang uses only red and black to stand for what is evil and good about human beings. He also uses different patterns of animals like dragon and tiger in his designs.
Hoang says he researched documents and books on royal costumes under the Nguyen dynasty, particularly those used during the reign of emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang.
“Theatre should be designed with beautiful scenes and interesting sound and light effects. Artists should perform in beautiful and colourful costumes,” he believes.
New look folk opera
Cai Luong director Hoa Ha was one step of drama director Giang and his staff, with last year’s modernised take on Viet Nam’s most famous classic epic poem – Truyen Kieu (The Tale of Kieu), by the 18th century poet Nguyen Du.
Ha and her actors brought audiences a more extravagant stage, distinctive modern dances and contemporary pop music.
The150-minute work, titled Kim Van Kieu, featured the life of a beautiful and learned girl named Vuong Thuy Kieu or Kieu, who is forced to sell herself to solve her family’s problems.
Nearly 400 veteran and young artists in the fields of Cai Luong, dance, music, puppet and design performed in the unusual Kim Van Kieu production – which could set the stage for making classical and fork art forms more popular.
While Cai Luong performances usually employ traditional artists, Ha had not only pop stars Thu Minh and Thanh Thuy, but also classical opera singer Duc Tuan – who focused on dance and R&B music to bring stylistic innovations.
Ha also used a 60-piece symphony orchestra instead of traditional instruments.
Artists’ performances were highlighted with modern light and sound effects that cost several billions of dong never before associated with Cai Luong.
The show resembled a pop concert in both style and attendance as nearly 6,000 people attended the show over just two nights.
New trend
Dozens of theatre directors in HCM City including Thanh Loc and Le Quy Duong are now working to create new ways to bring traditional art within the reach of more people.
The artists’ works – whether they are aimed at adults or children – combine traditional and modern styles.
Commenting on the trend of both veteran and new artists working to lure audiences back to traditional theatre in recent years, Le Duy Hanh, chairman of HCM City’s Theatre Association, says, “I see the bright future of theatre in these artists – who are trying to work in a professional way.” — VNS
