Unique traditional arts rolled into one show

Foreigners who love Vietnamese traditional arts, now have the chance to watch a performance of Cai Luong, a kind of opera popular in the south of Vietnam combined with Ca Tru ceremonial singing and Cheo traditional opera, translated into English.

The performance of Ba chua tho Nom (the Queen of Nom Poetry) is scheduled for foreigners on the 22nd day of every month. The audiences will be provided with bilingual brochures, which will tell them more about the poet Ho Xuan Huong, as well as the play.

The show is also about how playwright Linh Huyen has come up with a new way of looking at the 18th century poet. She spent eight months studying Ho Xuan Huong, one of Vietnam’s most closely-analysed cultural figures.

The two hour performance is unique as the stage and costume designers Si Hoang and Kim B were both inspired by Dong Ho and Tu Binh traditional paintings.

Additionally, only traditional music instruments are used.

The show’s central character is portrayed by well-known northern Cai Luong performer Thanh Thanh Hien, who is also famous for traditional singing such as Ca Tru and Cheo.

The show is directed by Tran Minh Ngoc and premiered in May at the Ho Chi Minh Opera House. (Source: VNA)