When history is conveyed on stage
The opera plays, such as: The Holy King of the Le Dynasty, Red Apricot Blossoms, The Hammock Carrying Officer , The Southern Country's Desire , The Southern Spirit, Looking Back at a Dynasty ... are all elaborately staged, skillfully exploiting historical documents and real characters, blending with the art of Binh Dinh opera. Many plays have won high prizes at national festivals, affirming the "brand" of Dao Tan Opera Troupe (under the Gia Lai Traditional Arts Theater) in the land of martial arts.
According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Quynh, Director of Gia Lai Province Traditional Arts Theater, every year, the Theater restores and enhances 1 tuong play, 1 bai choi opera; and simultaneously stages 2 new plays for each genre. In particular, historical themes are prioritized, not only recreating the glorious history of the nation, but also conveying vivid historical stories to the public, especially young audiences, who have the opportunity to approach traditional arts in a close way.
Scriptwriter Doan Thanh Tam is the author of many opera scripts staged by the Theater, such as: Bong mai do written about national hero Mai Xuan Thuong - leader of the Can Vuong movement in Binh Dinh, Nuoc Nam niem thit thit ap (Southern Aspiration) written about King Thanh Thai - a Nguyen Dynasty king with a patriotic spirit, anti-French and very close to the people; Khi tiet sang troi Nam depicts the portrait of national hero Nguyen Trung Truc - a native of Binh Dinh - leader of the insurgent army in the South to resist the French colonialists, establishing many glorious feats.
“I find inspiration in stories and historical characters that are both tragic and humane, and very dramatic. That gives me the material to create plays that are both epic and close to today’s audiences. Each script is a different way of telling through the language of the stage, conveying a humane message, arousing patriotism and national pride in the audience,” scriptwriter Doan Thanh Tam shared.
If the script is the “original material” of the play, then the main actor is the one who breathes life into the work. Every artist when stepping onto the stage carries with him the mission of fully transforming into the character not only through acting techniques, but also through emotions about history. Perhaps that is why the roles of historical figures not only appear in the spotlight, but also live in the hearts of the audience with deep pride in the national origin.
Artist Thai Phien, a young actor of Dao Tan Tuong Troupe, was assigned to play the main role in many historical plays. He shared: “With historical characters, the most difficult thing is not only acting, but also maintaining the spirit. I have to research and reread related historical documents to fully transform into the character, especially when playing the roles of famous kings and national heroes who come to life on stage.”
Preserving the spirit of traditional theater
For director and People's Artist Nguyen Hoai Hue, each time he stages a historical play, he is able to "return to the past" of the nation. People's Artist Nguyen Hoai Hue shared: "Staging historical themes is not just about illustrating events. We have to be creative in the way we tell them, but not "unhistorical". For me, doing historical plays is not just for the audience to watch, but for them to relive national memories, to be proud of their origins, and it is also a way for me to express my gratitude and respect for my ancestors, and my pride in my homeland and country."
According to this year's plan, the Theater is staging two new plays in the fourth quarter of 2025, still focusing on national history and the heroic history of the homeland and the country. Specifically, Dao Tan Tuong Troupe will re-stage the play Khat Vong Non Song (scriptwriter: Van Trong Hung; adaptation author: Doan Thanh Tam; director: People's Artist Nguyen Hoai Hue), depicting the life and career of patriot Tang Bat Ho - a typical historical figure in the Can Vuong movement in Bac Binh Dinh against the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Binh Dinh Bai Choi Opera Troupe will re-stage the play Ngoc Sang Khuc Gia Trang (scriptwriter: Nguyen Hoai; director: People's Artist Nguyen Hoai Hue), recreating the golden history of the Khuc family in the early days of Vietnam's independence.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Quynh, Director of Gia Lai Province Traditional Arts Theater, said: Along with staging two new plays on historical themes, the Theater has also completed and enhanced the play Looking Back at a Dynasty (scriptwriter: Van Trong Hung; adaptation author: Doan Thanh Tam; director: People's Artist Nguyen Hoai Hue) depicting the context of the feudal state of Dai Viet in the early 15th century when the Tran Dynasty was in decline, the Ho Dynasty founded by Ho Quy Ly took the national name Dai Ngu to continue the great cause.
This play will compete in the 2025 National Tuong and Folk Opera Festival organized by the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The efforts of the Theatre to “tell” history through traditional arts not only preserve the heritage of Hat Boi and Bai Choi opera of Binh Dinh, but also create a bridge between the audience and history, between traditional theater and today’s life with many modern forms of entertainment dominating. Behind the stage lights is the desire to preserve the national cultural identity, the belief in each role, each Hat Boi verse, and Bai Choi folk song that still has the power to move the hearts of the public.
Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/ke-chuyen-lich-su-qua-san-khau-hat-boi-post569802.html
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