Focus on translating the content of the work to make traditional theater 'attract' international audiences

Rich in traditional plays

In recent years, a number of Cheo, Cai Luong, and comedy theaters have sought new directions to attract not only Vietnamese audiences but also international audiences. Recently, the art program series “Cai Luong - The Quintessence of Vietnamese Art”, including shows and installation spaces introducing Vietnamese culture, aimed to attract tourists at the Chuong Vang Theater (Hang Bac, Hanoi). Tourists were able to watch a 45-minute performance of the excerpt “Sell Yourself to Redeem Your Father” from the play Kieu…

The Youth Theatre has staged and organized performances of three comedy skits in the Comedy Life: “Crossing the River”, “Playing the Game of Father and Mother”, “Room to Get Angry”, performed by artists in English. The theatre has also introduced three new physical drama skits staged and performed in English, namely: “Fallen Leaves”, “Happy Dream”, “Old Man Carrying His Wife”…

Hanoi Cheo Theatre has also created a separate program for international visitors by translating the main content of the play into English from historical Cheo plays such as: Thai Uy Ly Thuong Kiet, Ngoc Han Cong Chua; ancient Cheo plays and excerpts: Quan Am Thi Kinh, Luu Binh Duong Le, Tong Tran Cuc Hoa...; folk Cheo plays are: Tam Cam, Lo nuoc than, Nang Sita and some Cheo plays with modern themes...

Theaters need to take advantage of social media platforms

In 2024, Hanoi welcomed 6.35 million international visitors. If each travel agency could bring just one visitor to experience traditional art forms, it would be enough to keep the theaters in the capital red-lit seven days a week. Of course, that is only an “if”. In reality, for many years now, the lights in the theaters have only been dimly lit. Many tourists coming to Hanoi have never known about the existence of these art programs, or if they do, they face many barriers in terms of information, language, performance schedule, location, etc. Currently, traditional theater programs are rarely introduced on international ticket booking platforms, popular travel websites, or at hotels and travel agencies.

Due to cultural differences, international visitors often find it difficult to understand the philosophical depth, allegorical elements or unrealistic expressions of traditional art. To make it easier for international visitors to appreciate the art, theaters should not "embrace" and turn cải lương, chèo, and hát hồi into a variety show, but should choose the best of those art forms to introduce to domestic and foreign audiences. And most importantly, theaters need to pay more attention to the translation. Because the translation is the "soul" of the plays. Vietnamese language and meaning are very diverse and rich, sometimes even containing hidden meanings. Meanwhile, with English, they only understand in one direction, so if they cannot find an equivalent meaning, visitors will understand it in another way... Therefore, it is necessary to choose a translator who is truly knowledgeable about cải lương, chèo, tuong, and hát hồi and is fluent in English to be able to convey the correct intonation, helping the audience understand the drama and content of the program...

Travel companies need to incorporate traditional theater shows into their Hanoi tours.

In addition to cooperating with embassies and foreign cultural centers in Vietnam, organizing regular performance exchanges, theaters need to take advantage of social networking platforms, video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram to share performance excerpts, behind-the-scenes rehearsals, life stories of artists... translated and subtitled in many different languages. This will help the theater's image expand to reach the world...

Hanoi’s traditional theater is a precious heritage not only for the Vietnamese people but also a unique cultural “gift” for international tourists. Combining art preservation with the development of cultural tourism products is a sustainable direction, contributing to bringing the image of Vietnamese culture “to life” in the hearts of international tourists.

Bao Chau

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/chu-trong-viec-dich-thuat-noi-dung-tac-pham-de-san-khau-truyen-thong-hut-khach-quoc-te-post549511.html