Traditional artists light up Tet
Update: 12/01/2009
HCM City’s cai luong (reformed theatre) artists are preparing a variety of new and engaging shows that they hope will light up the local stage during the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year).
Dozens of cai luong performers will perform Ong Tao (Kitchen God), a comedy, on HCM City Television.
On the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, Vietnamese families clean their kitchens and pay respects to Ong Tao, who is leaving for Heaven. The Kitchen God is believed to report on the family to the God of Heaven. Ong Tao returns to the kitchen on the 30th to bless the household and keep the hearth warm, making every member of the family happy and healthy.
As usual, the Tet show on Lunar New Year’s Eve (which falls on January 25 this year), will feature nearly 50 young and veteran comedians and artists like Phuong Hang and Tan Beo. The show’s producers are keeping the cast a secret but said the show will focus on the year’s top social, economic, and cultural events.
Tran Huu Trang Theatre, one of the country’s leading cai luong troupes, is scheduled to present its New Year programmes around the city and neighbouring rural districts. More than 100 artists, musicians and stagehands will participate in the Tet shows.
Cai luong stars Vu Linh, Thanh Thanh Tam and Bach Tuyet will offer extracts from popular operas including Bong Hong Cai Ao (To Lay a Rose on Mother’s Shirt) and Ben Cau Det Lua (Weaving Silk at the Side of Bridge), works which describe the love and respect of children for their parents.
Younger comedians Hieu Canh, Tuan Sang and Cai Phuong will perform in a show called Tao Quan Don Xuan (Kitchen God Welcomes Tet), which offers dances and songs and are based on traditional legends.
As in previous years, some operas to be featured are based on historical events. These include Hoang De Cai Bang (The King of Beggars) and Dau An Giao Thoi (The Moment of Transition) written by Thanh Tong and Trung Kien.
These operas are highlighted by newcomers Vo Minh Lam, Trong Nghia and My Hang, promising a feast for cai luong lovers.
"Tet is the time for people, especially youngsters, to look back and remember the country’s history and traditional culture," said Vo Minh Lam, one of the city’s young talents.
Lam said he and his colleagues decided to travel to rural areas because "we want to create a happy and peaceful Tet ambience for poor people, who have fewer entertainment choices than their urban counterparts."
All of the shows begin on January 25, 2009 and continue through February 2, 2009 at the Hung Dao Theatre on Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1.
Tickets to shows at the Hung Dao Theatre are available at its box office and are priced from VND 40,000 (US$ 2.2) to VND 100,000 (US$ 5.6) each.