Tears flowed with "The Lonely Tree," and Nhat Nguyen became the director of "Golden Bell of Traditional Vietnamese Music."

Khóc với — From left to right: Truc Phuong, Diep Duy, Trong Hieu, Nhat Nguyen and M.Sc. Screenwriter Nguyen Thu Phuong

On the evening of October 30th, artist Nhật Nguyên, whose real name is Nguyễn Quốc Nhựt (born in 1994), residing in Kiến Tường ward ( Tây Ninh province ), received praise from professionals and audiences alike after attending the cải lương play "Cây lẻ bạn" (written by Nguyễn Thu Phương, adapted into cải lương by Hoàng Song Việt).

Artist Nhat Nguyen has been passionate about traditional Vietnamese folk singing since childhood and dreamed of becoming a Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) artist. After finishing high school, he went to Ho Chi Minh City to take the entrance exam for the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film, majoring in Cai Luong acting.

With the dedicated guidance and instruction of their teachers, especially Master Cao Tan Loc, Quoc Nhut and his classmates graduated in 2015 with the Cai Luong play "Do Tinh" (Love Ferry).

The character Luong in the play helped Nhat Nguyen and his classmates receive praise from their teachers and the audience.

When choosing the cải lương play "Cây lẻ bạn" (The Lonely Tree) for her graduation thesis, Nhật Nguyên said: "This is a deeply emotional journey about the plight of women and the value of true love."

I felt a deep connection with the author, which is why I decided to choose this work for my exam. I believe the audience also felt the same way."

Nhat Nguyen understands the tragedy of "The Lonely Tree".

For twenty years living in a poor rural area, the character Uyển (Meritorious Artist Thu Vân) – a girl from Saigon who, due to family circumstances, became the daughter-in-law of Mr. Tám Tường's family – has endured lonely days in her own home.

Her husband, Nhẫn (played by actor Nguyễn Văn Mẹo), is a gentle but weak man, unable to protect his wife from the harshness of his father, Tám Tường (played by Trọng Hiếu).

Life seemed peaceful and uneventful until Hao (played by Dien Trung) appeared. The young man awakened in Uyen the yearning to live, to love, and to be herself.

From here, the play unfolds a vicious cycle of love, sin, and forgiveness, of people bound by morality, responsibility, and the harsh judgments of old rural society.

Nhat Nguyen has made a personal mark in his staging techniques.

To allow cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) to reach the deepest emotional levels, playwright Hoàng Song Việt's adapted script retains the essence of the original script while infusing it with the profound spirit of Southern Vietnamese cải lương.

The dialogues, imbued with poetic charm and interwoven with poignant traditional Vietnamese folk melodies, make "The Lonely Tree" a tragic yet humane ballad. With its simple staging style and exploration of the characters' inner lives, Nhật Nguyên weaves together the fates of each individual, creating a tapestry of diverse emotions.

Meritorious Artist Thu Vân fully embodied the character of Uyển – a woman who lived twenty years in darkness, only daring to yearn for happiness once.

Thu Vân's restrained, introspective yet powerful acting evokes sympathy from the audience; sometimes even a simple sigh is enough to reveal the depths of her soul, especially in roles involving many traditional Vietnamese folk songs and cải lương (reformed opera) pieces, which she performs sweetly and expressively.

Actor Dien Trung (playing Hao) portrays a man full of contradictions: caught between love and morality, between instinct and reason.

Meanwhile, actor Nguyen Van Meo (playing Nhan) subtly portrayed the role of a stiff but not emotionless husband.

The appearance of actors Truc Phuong (Ut Thanh), Diep Duy (Nhan), and Hien Linh (the mailman) added dramatic tension to the play, connecting the unfortunate fates in the tragic family drama of Mr. Tam's family.

Nhat Nguyen liked the message of the play "The Lonely Tree".

The play's art design by artist Le Van Dinh follows a realistic-symbolic style. Mr. Tam's house is a living space, but it also serves as an "invisible prison," trapping people within prejudices. Every shade of light and shadow, every window frame, evokes feelings of frustration and loneliness.

"The Lonely Tree" is a simple yet poignant story about the lives of people bound by prejudice, morality, and duty.

The message the play conveys is the yearning to live authentically with one's emotions, to be loved and understood—things that may seem small but are actually the greatest happiness in life.

Actor Nhat Nguyen said he liked the play because it reminded people that sacrifice does not equate to happiness, and silence is not peace. People, regardless of their circumstances, have the right to choose their own lives, the right to love, and the right to be cherished.

"Through the image of the 'lonely tree' – a symbol of solitude yet still thriving amidst barrenness – Nhân is proof that young people will rise up to rebuild their homeland."

"The play affirms the enduring vitality and belief in goodness within each person, with Nhân being the figure who overcomes adversity to move towards a better future," said artist Nhật Nguyên.

"I am very pleased that the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film has another Cai Luong artist who has completed the directing degree. Nhat Nguyen will go further with his improved directing skills to contribute to the arts," said Associate Professor Dr. Tran Yen Chi.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/khoc-voi-cay-le-ban-chuong-vang-vong-co-nhat-nguyen-lam-dao-dien-196251030054737656.htm