The confrontation scene between Mrs. Do Thi Phan (right, played by Que Tran) and Hue Phi (Tu Suong) is a highlight in the play "General Le Van Duyet - The Man with 9 Death Sentences" - Photo: LINH DOAN
In the film "General Le Van Duyet - The Man Who Received Nine Death Sentences ," Que Tran plays Mrs. Do Thi Phan, the wife of General Le Van Duyet, while Tu Suong plays Hue Phi, a favorite of Emperor Minh Mang.
The more Tú Sương and Quế Trân face off, the better it gets.
In fact, many years ago, during the centenary celebration of cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) directed by Quang Thảo, sisters Tú Sương and Quế Trân had a very impressive confrontation scene where Quế Trân played the character Thượng Dương, and Tú Sương played Ỷ Lan.
The sisters' innovative approach to delving into the characters' psychology has left a lasting impression on many cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) audiences, who still fondly remember that performance.
Surprisingly, many viewers are captivated by and wish for Tu Suong and Que Tran to have more opposing roles because they highly appreciate the acting abilities of these two outstanding fifth-generation actresses from the Minh To - Thanh Tong family of traditional Vietnamese opera.
In the life of General Le Van Duyet - the man who faced nine death sentences - Mrs. Phan was a close confidante and a strong support system for him in his great endeavors.
Meanwhile, Huệ Phi was greatly loved by Emperor Minh Mạng. Her father, Huỳnh Công Lý, was appointed as deputy governor-general of Gia Định. However, he acted arrogantly and oppressed the people, leading Governor-General Lê Văn Duyệt to execute him despite the imminent danger of harming the emperor's father-in-law.
According to the original script by author Pham Van Quy, Phan and Hue Phi did not have any scenes together. However, in the 2026 production, director Hoa Ha asked author Vo Tu Uyen to add a scene of confrontation between the two women in their minds.
Tu Suong and Que Tran were sharp in their performance of the confrontation scene between Mrs. Do Thi Phan and Hue Phi - Photo: LINH DOAN
And that was the opportunity for sisters Tú Sương and Quế Trân to once again deliver intense performances as two women on opposing sides: one for her husband, the other for her father.
Que Tran evokes empathy in viewers for the feelings of a wife worried about her husband's safety, torn between wanting to intervene and being unable to ignore what is happening that is offensive and disturbing.
As for Huệ Phi, Tú Sương's concubine is a venomous type, sometimes even formidable, intending to use her authority to oppress others. But faced with the unyielding attitude of Lady Phẫn, Huệ Phi also has moments of vulnerability and helplessness.
People both hated and sympathized with Concubine Huệ for blindly upholding filial piety.
Artists Tú Sương as Empress Thượng Dương (left) and Quế Trân as Empress Dowager Linh Nhân in the play Câu thơ yên ngựa - Photo: LINH ĐOAN
Confrontations
From last year to this year, Tu Suong and Que Tran have had several confrontations that have entertained viewers.
Besides General Le Van Duyet - who carried 9 death sentences , in the play "The Poem of the Horse's Saddle" premiered on April 30th last year, Tu Suong was transformed into Empress Thuong Duong and Que Tran into Empress Dowager Linh Nhan.
In this scenario, conflicts between them are constant due to love and power. With director Hoa Ha's skillful direction, every appearance of these two characters is met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.
These are two characters who, without sufficient talent and professional maturity, would find it very difficult to make the play dramatic and engaging for the audience.
Que Tran and Tu Suong are reasonable choices because they handle the characters subtly, each with their own struggles and reasons for empathy, rather than being one-sided or absolutely good.
If General Le Van Duyet – the man who carried nine death sentences and the poem about the two sisters on horseback – clearly stood on opposite sides, then with the humorous cai luong play "The Scholar's Troupe" premiered during the Lunar New Year of the Horse, there was also a bit of rivalry between them, but it was a kind of rivalry… for fun!
In the play, Tú Sương and Quế Trân are caught in a love triangle with the poor student Hoàng Phi Học (played by Võ Minh Lâm).
From left to right, Tú Sương, Võ Minh Lâm and Quế Trân in the play "Gánh cải trạng nguyên" - Photo: LINH ĐOAN
Tú Sương plays the role of Hàn Tố Nga, a maid who is infatuated with Hoàng Phi Học and uses various schemes to win him over. Meanwhile, Quế Trân plays Trương Mỹ Chi, a respectable woman who is betrothed to Hoàng Phi Học.
Han To Nga is uneducated and her behavior is a bit… unruly, but she's extremely lovable and inherently kind. Therefore, in her gentle battle with the "legitimate wife" Truong My Chi, Tu Suong - Han To Nga handled things so endearingly that viewers voted her the most lovable "mistress"!
Artist Quế Trân is the daughter of the late artist Thanh Tòng, who contributed to the development of traditional Vietnamese opera. Tú Sương, on the other hand, is the daughter of two veteran artists, Trường Sơn and Thanh Loan. Ms. Thanh Loan is Thanh Tòng's younger sister, so Quế Trân and Tú Sương are cousins.
At the request of the audience, the Dai Viet New Cai Luong Theatre has decided to restage the play "Ganh Cai Trang Nguyen" on May 30th at the Tran Huu Trang Theatre.
Following the performance of the play " General Le Van Duyet - The Man with Nine Death Sentences" on the evening of April 25th, which required the addition of extra soup pots, the production team is now considering a suitable date for the rerun to serve the audience due to overwhelming demand.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chi-em-tu-suong-que-tran-lien-tuc-doi-dau-20260501170529756.htm
