Minh Nhi and Huu Nghia are afraid that the audience will "laugh" when performing political plays.

(NLDO) – As a comedian, used to throwing jokes, when he accepted the role of Minh Nhi, Huu Nghia faced a lot of pressure.

Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi, Artist Huu Nghia

On the morning of July 15, the program "Dialogue Space: Plays and the Public" took place in a warm, open and constructive atmosphere at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association.

The program was organized by the Theory and Criticism Board to meet, discuss, and listen to audience feedback on 4 plays representing socialized theater participating in the 5th National Professional Art Theater Festival on "The Image of the People's Public Security Soldier" - 2025, which recently took place in Hanoi .

From left to right; Artist Quoc Thao, People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong at the discussion

A meaningful professional reunion

Attending the event were: People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau (Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association), Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong, Meritorious Artist Le Thien, director Ton That Can, People's Artist Trinh Kim Chi, Master - critical theorist Nguyen Phuong, director Meritorious Artist Le Nguyen Dat, author Nguyen Thanh Binh, Meritorious Artist Tuyet Thu, Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi, Artist Huu Nghia, Artist Binh Tinh, author Hoai Huong, director Mi Le, director Mai Huong (VTV 9).

Journalist Minh Tam (VOH), Journalist Hoang Kim (Thanh Nien newspaper), Journalist Ho Lam (Tuoi Tre newspaper), Journalist Mai Nhat (VNE), Journalist Ngoc Tuyet (Ho Chi Minh City Women newspaper), Journalist Xuan Huong (Culture and Arts newspaper), Journalist Vo Hao (Nhan Dan newspaper) also attended.

There were also actors Truong Phuc, Ngoc Mai, Tuan Hung and many students from Ton Duc Thang University, Van Lang University, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema...

Everyone was delighted with the achievements of the Criticism Committee, which received enthusiastic responses from experts every time it was held.

Author Nguyen Thanh Binh congratulates the achievements of the 4 stages participating in the Festival.

Minh Nhi confides

At the dialogue, Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi said that for the first time, the Southern art stage participated in the Festival with a large force and outstanding quality. This shows a strong movement, full of inner strength of the region that was once considered "inferior" in the political stage playground.

"This is not only a positive sign in terms of quantity, but also reflects the serious efforts in the profession, innovative thinking and the desire to affirm my position on the national stage map. Especially when I specialize in comedy, this is my first time performing drama, and I play two roles of twins, so I feel a lot of pressure. Every movement, every line, I am afraid that the audience will laugh because they are used to watching me perform comedy" - Meritorious Artist Minh Nhi confided.

From left to right: Actors Truong Phuc, Ngoc Mai, Huu Nghia, Quoc Thao, director Thanh Hiep, Meritorious Artist Tuyet Thu and Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong at the discussion.

Truong Hung Minh Art Stage received 8 awards: 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals, 1 bronze medal, excellent author, excellent artist, and excellent play.

This is also the first play to be directed by Le Quoc Nam after a long career. He has been honored and this group of socialized stage artists are eagerly waiting to perform again.

Huu Nghia shares the pressure

Artist Huu Nghia said: "I struggled a lot, at first I was very scared and kept telling author Quoc Thao to write the dialogue in a "very Huu Nghia" style. For the role of the police colonel, the dialogue was professional and specialized, I studied forever to get the dialogue right. But then Tuyet Thu and Quoc Thao encouraged me, I tried to overcome it. The role only appeared in 4 scenes, each scene was short, but it was extremely stressful for me."

Ths - Theater critic Nguyen Phuong said: "It is necessary to study theory so that artists can improve their skills, know how to analyze and criticize their roles."

Meritorious Artist Le Thien shared: "In Ho Chi Minh City alone, for many years the stage has always been lit up - something that not every place can do. That is thanks to the heart, affection and great love of the artists for this city, as well as for the artistic career that we are pursuing."

Her speech emphasized that it is her love for the profession and her affection for the city that motivates the Southern theater to persevere through difficulties and keep the passion for the profession despite lacking in many aspects compared to other art centers.

She encouraged socialized theater artists to continue staging many political plays for the public in addition to entertaining plays, so that each brand can diversify its style.

Meritorious Artist Director Le Nguyen Dat: "Every artist is a soldier on the cultural front, let's do better in our creative roles and functions"

Aiming for works of artistic quality

Revolving around the sharing from artists and directors after returning from the Festival, the conversation did not stop at summarizing the achievements with many gold and silver medals awarded, but delved deeper into concerns about the path that Ho Chi Minh City theater needs to head towards in the current period.

There was a thought-provoking opinion raised during the dialogue: "We say that the State needs to join hands to support the Southern theater, but on the contrary - what has the theater itself done to make the State see and need to join hands?"

This is not a question of reproach, but a serious self-questioning from those involved. If the theater only exists to sell tickets or perform on demand, how can it receive the attention of the State?

Actors Ngoc Mai and Truong Phuc talk about their roles in the play "Deep Night" - a precious opportunity for young actors. On July 20, the play "Deep Night" will be re-performed at Quoc Thao stage.

At the end of the discussion, People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association - shared deeply: "To receive attention from the State, those who work in theater must clearly demonstrate their social role. Not only do art to sell tickets, but also do art to listen, to accompany, to reflect and evoke the common thoughts and desires of society, including the State".

Artist Huu Nghia and director Mi Le

According to him, plays must become a voice accompanying the State - not only reflecting the reality of life but also contributing to resolving difficulties, conveying desires, and orienting awareness in the community.

When the stage can listen and convey what society and the State need to say and share, the play not only has artistic value, but also becomes a tool to connect beliefs and spread a sense of responsibility.

"Switching from comedy to tragedy is a big pressure, but Minh Nhi and Huu Nghia have done well in this transition, are highly appreciated, and should be promoted" - Meritorious Artist Ca Le Hong commented.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/minh-nhi-huu-nghia-lo-khan-gia-bat-cuoi-khi-dien-kich-chinh-luan-19625071606363296.htm