Hat Boi has a happy season

In folk festivals such as Ky Yen, Cau Ngu, Thanh Minh, An Tuoi (Ancestor's Death Anniversary), etc., the Hat Boi stage serving the audience is always an indispensable part. This is a traditional cultural beauty preserved through many generations, contributing to "keeping the fire" of the Hat Boi stage lit up.

Expensive shows in and out of the province

“The performance schedule has been regular since the beginning of the year, with shows almost every month. There were even months when the performances in one locality ended and we had to move overnight to serve audiences in other places. It was tiring but happy, because the audience was waiting for the troupe to perform,” said Meritorious Artist Hoang Kieu, Head of the Ngo May Opera Troupe.

Not only performing in familiar places in the province, many troupes also accept contracts in neighboring provinces such as Quang Ngai and Dak Lak . This shows that Binh Dinh opera still maintains its "brand" and appeal to a large audience.

Since the beginning of the year, Nhon Hung Opera Troupe has had a “good season” with more than 120 performances in localities. **Photo: Kieu My**

Meritorious Artist Minh Luong, Head of Nhon Hung Opera Troupe, happily shared: “This year we have had a “lucky” season of touring, with more than 120 performances in many localities. Recently, the troupe also performed for exchange and experience opera for students at Gia Lai Provincial Museum. In the seventh lunar month, we will have a show to serve the autumn ceremony in Tuy Phuoc commune. We are touched when a large audience comes to cheer and fully enjoy each play.”

This year's opera season, Dao Tan Tuong Troupe (under Gia Lai Province Traditional Arts Theatre) has also "closed the book" for nearly 80 performances. In the seventh lunar month, the troupe will continue to perform at the autumn ceremony in Nhon Ly fishing village (Quy Nhon Dong ward). Meritorious Artist Dao Trung Nghia, Head of Dao Tan Tuong Troupe, said: "In addition to the tours, we also organize programs to experience and learn about opera art for students at the Theatre and schools, helping the younger generation approach traditional art."

Continuing the source, spreading the heritage

What is particularly encouraging is that, in addition to the Dao Tan Tuong Troupe, a number of amateur opera troupes now have many young artists studying. To keep up with the trend of the times, many young artists also post their makeup and performance images on social networks to promote this art form.

Dao Tan Tuong troupe performs in Nhon Hai coastal village (Quy Nhon Dong ward). **Photo: Ngoc Nhuan**

Artist Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, an actress of An Nhon 2 Opera Troupe, confided: “The behind-the-scenes videos of makeup, live performances, and sharing of emotions after the role that I posted on Facebook and my personal Tiktok received many likes and shares. I am happy to contribute to spreading the art of opera to a wider audience, including many young people.”

Although the stage is lit up this year, in the long term, amateur opera troupes need support to maintain more sustainable operations.
Artisan Nguyen Hoang Minh, Head of Phuoc An Opera Troupe, said: “Last year, the People's Council of Binh Dinh province (now Gia Lai province) passed a Resolution regulating a number of policies to preserve and promote traditional art forms of Binh Dinh province, for the period 2024 - 2028. But up to now, we artists have not received support from this policy. We hope that all levels and sectors will pay attention to non-professional opera troupes, so that artists have more motivation to continue contributing.”

Even though they are old and familiar plays such as: Ancient Citadel, Tang Conquers the West, Five Tigers of the South, Three Heroes, Tram Trinh An, Three Descendants of the Southern Tang, Shadow of Righteousness... they still attract audiences because of the different performances of the artists and performers of each troupe.

Artist Thai Anh, an actor in the Dao Tan Tuong Troupe, shared: “Performing a lot is tiring, and when we retreat backstage, we feel exhausted, but seeing the audience watching with joy makes our spirits soar. Many audiences come early to see the artists in makeup, and even take souvenir photos. We believe that hát bội still has a place in the hearts of the public amidst the flow of modern forms of entertainment.”

Veteran artists also could not hide their joy when seeing young people love and follow the art of hát bội to continue the source of the hát bội art heritage left by their ancestors. Meritorious Artist Huynh Thi Kim Chung, an actress of the Trần Quang Diệu hát bội art troupe, confided: “Although there are still many difficulties in finding young people to pass on the profession, I see that some troupes still have young actors, this is a good sign for the hát bội stage.”

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hat-boi-duoc-mua-vui-post563035.html