A desperate search for a successor generation.

Three plays – "Obsession" (Youth World Theatre), "The Luxurious Hotel," and "Weaving Silk by the Bridge" (Tran Huu Trang Theatre) – premiered in December 2023, all directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau. Among them, the two classic Cai Luong plays, "The Luxurious Hotel" and "Weaving Silk by the Bridge," despite being modernized, still retain their unique characteristics in their 2023 versions, captivating audiences.

Impressive career achievements

With over 40 years dedicated to the stage, it is estimated that People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau has directed more than 250 plays in various genres: Cai Luong, Hat Boi, drama, Cheo... Currently, he remains energetic and talented, but is burdened with concerns about the state of the stage as it approaches the challenging year of 2024.

Besides his career as a stage director, People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau also participated in the field of education . After graduating from the second directing class of the School of Stage Arts II (now the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film), he was retained to teach. He contributed to training many talented students such as: People's Artist Hong Van, Meritorious Artist Trong Nam, director Ton That Can, artists Quoc Thao, Phuoc Sang, Mai Dung, Phuong Binh, Dinh Toan...

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau

Most of the students mentored by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau possess the skills to be the overall director of all creative aspects of a performance. "He guided us to have a holistic view and to know how to string together the entire storyline of the work. Therefore, each scene, from the stage design to the composition, conveys the meaning that the work aims to reflect," People's Artist Hong Van expressed.

Those in the industry say that People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau read extensively. He researched and studied a great deal of information on literature and history to enhance his knowledge. He also always reminded and encouraged his students to boldly venture beyond their comfort zones to continuously improve their professional skills and prestige.

Meritorious Artist Ca Lê Hồng commented that the professional achievements of People's Artist Trần Ngọc Giàu are truly remarkable. He has made his mark through his simplicity, yet deeply lyrical and profound style. After his debut play "The Remaining Moments" (based on the literary work of writer Nguyễn Mạnh Tuấn) was broadcast on HTV, he rose to prominence, excelling not only in his professional work but also in his managerial duties with dedication.

Nurturing the younger generation

According to experts, one of the most crucial roles in determining the artistic quality of a performance is the directing.

The theater scene in Ho Chi Minh City is currently facing many difficulties. The most challenging is the inadequate development of a successor generation of directors. "The current generation of young directors, it can be said, still lacks the ability to pull the theater out of its crisis," lamented Meritorious Artist Ca Lê Hồng.

Perhaps People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau saw and understood the concerns of his colleagues who were passionate about the theater. As Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, he pioneered the establishment of the Center for Professional Training in Theater. A training course for young directors was opened. During his classes, he poured out his heart and soul, sharing his knowledge and experience in theater with the younger generation.

"If we don't act now, we won't have enough successors in time. I've always been worried about this and decided to roll up my sleeves and take action, considering it my responsibility as a teacher and a senior figure towards young directors and the theatrical profession," said People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau with heartfelt conviction.

A scene from the classic Cai Luong play "The Luxurious Hotel," directed by People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau said he is striving to pass on his experience to the next generation (actors and directors). "I hope that young people will make breakthroughs and showcase their professional skills at the Ho Chi Minh City Theatre Festival 2024 - a platform that prioritizes new works," he confidently stated.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau also pays close attention to the scriptwriting process. Following the "Stage Scriptwriting Camp" organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association in Da Lat in June 2023, we witnessed him carefully reading and responsibly providing feedback on all 21 scripts selected to participate.

Author Tran Van Hung expressed his admiration: "Through each suggestion from Mr. Tran Ngoc Giau, the authors gained many insights, and subsequently made changes and revisions. A series of works have been selected for staging on various stages. One of the new plays recently presented to the public, 'Haunted' by Dang Thanh Nga, was also conceived at the Da Lat creative writing camp."

According to artist Minh Nhi (Truong Hung Minh Theatre), People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau offered only a few suggestions for Le Quoc Nam's play "Blood Silk." Yet, this transformed the play, making it more vibrant, lyrical, suspenseful, and captivating, and it sold tickets like hotcakes.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau observed: "It's time for strategic and fundamental investment to develop a team of young directors in Ho Chi Minh City, for the sustainable development of the national theater. When theater directors are professionally trained, many skilled directors will emerge, positively impacting the theater scene through new staging techniques."

"In order to create necessary professional interaction and discover talented young directors, People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau has taken the initiative to invite directors from many provinces and cities to spend their weekends in Ho Chi Minh City so that he can share his experience."

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau also participated in scriptwriting and editing; and served on review and evaluation committees for new scripts. Despite his busy professional schedule, he still prioritized activities at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association – from working with the Benevolent Association to care for elderly and infirm artists, renovating temples and the Artists' Cemetery, to numerous thematic workshops, seminars, and discussions organized by the Theoretical and Critical Committee.

He also pioneered the opening of training courses in the field of magic. Soon, he will be working on his second book, "Ho Chi Minh City Cai Luong Theatre in the period 1975-2025". The first book, which he edited, was recently awarded the B prize by the Central Council for Theoretical and Critical Studies.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/nsnd-tran-ngoc-giau-dau-dau-tim-kiem-the-he-ke-thua-196231209192737234.htm