Ngoc Doi, Le Hoang Nghi, Thu My made a beautiful impression in the play "The Capital's Waves"

(NLDO) - Evoking the epic with emotions from the inner performances of the artists, including Ngoc Doi, the Vietnamese history play by Doan Vam Co promises to create a strong attraction.

The Arts Council of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tay Ninh congratulated the artists of the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe after the rehearsal performance of the play "The Capital's Waves" on the evening of November 10, 2025.

On the evening of November 10, the Cai Luong play "The Imperial Capital's Waves" - author Trieu Trung Kien, adapted by Hoang Song Viet, directed by People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, assistant director MA Mai Tham, art director: MA - People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh was re-performed by the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe (Tay Ninh) and received many compliments from the Art Council of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tay Ninh. The play had the participation of Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi.

Vietnamese history topics, imbued with contemporary breath

The work is set in the late 10th century - the time when Dinh Tien Hoang unified the country after the "12 warlords' chaos". It seems to be a familiar historical story with details such as the plot to assassinate King Dinh, the Queen Mother Duong Van Nga giving the royal robe to Le Hoan, but Doctor - People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien - a director passionate about Vietnamese historical theater, chose a way to tell it that is both faithful to official history and imbued with contemporary atmosphere.

From the title "The Imperial Capital in Waves", viewers immediately feel the symbolic image of the turmoil in the royal court, where power and loyalty are fiercely tested.

But hidden behind that "wave" is the tolerant and benevolent attitude of later generations - the view of later generations towards history with respect and understanding.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi and Artist Le Hoang Nghi in the opera "The Capital's Waves"

Creativity in storytelling – enhancing thought

Unlike many previous historical cai luong plays that tended to describe feats of arms in a stereotypical way or illustrate historical details, the play "The Capital's Waves" focuses on the inner tragedy of the characters.

Duong Van Nga – a woman who was once judged by posterity – is portrayed as a symbol of patriotism that transcends conventional norms. The act of giving the royal robe to Le Hoan was a political act and a choice torn between love and duty, between the world and oneself.

Author People's Artist Trieu Trung Kien cleverly placed the character in philosophical psychological moments: when loyalty faces the nation's life, when a woman must choose between the call of her heart and responsibility to the nation.

Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi and Thu My in the play "The Capital's Waves"

It is the humanity in that thought that makes "The Capital's Waves" go beyond the scope of a historical play - becoming a voice of humanity, of forgiveness, of a postmodern perspective in historical perception. Besides, the play depicts a slice of official history, which is to explain more clearly the case of Do Thich dreaming that he would become king and then being murdered for plotting to kill the king. The scene where Do Thich's wife asks questions and debates with the mandarin when judging her husband is really good and touching.

Elegant form, exquisite artistic expression

Under the direction of People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, the play creates an impression with its symbolic stage language. The lighting, music and costumes are restrained and harmoniously coordinated, creating a solemn yet intimate and aesthetic royal space.

The music performed by the musicians of the Vam Co troupe has a solemn tone, combining traditional rhythms with modern tempos, contributing to deeply portraying emotional climaxes.

The costumes are elaborately invested, exuding a royal look but not fussy, preserving the national spirit. In particular, many scenes are staged by the director using the technique of interweaving time and space, creating psychological depth for the characters, such as the scene of King Dinh's assassination, the scene of Duong Van Nga handing over the royal robe - both symbolic and dramatic.

Artist Thu My and Meritorious Artist Vuong Tuan in the play "The Capital's Waves"

Those performances make the audience get caught up in the flow of emotions, and at the same time feel the heartbeat of history, especially through the adaptation talent of composer Hoang Song Viet. He raised the emotions of the play to a climax, the lyrics and dialogues penetrated deeply into the hearts of the listeners and even the actors were deeply moved when transforming into the characters.

A step forward for Tay Ninh stage and the brilliance of Ngoc Doi

The success of "The Capital of Waves" shows the innovative efforts of the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe in affirming the local stage brand in the context of fierce competition. The play focuses on good roles, with difficult roles for young faces. Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi and Le Hoang Nghi (Chuong Vang Vong Co 2024) really shine in this work.

Thu My plays the second leading role but will probably win the public's heart as the role is right on her forte - a queen who is resentful when her son is not chosen as crown prince.

The performance with the big drum as the distance between the two queens was a unique move of People's Artist Giang Manh Ha, combined with 14 drums resounding like the injustice tearing at the hearts of the two queens standing on two fronts. Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi and Artist Thu My had a really good performance, full of emotions.

People's Artist Giang Manh Ha staged the play "The Capital's Waves" very magnificently.

Not only stopping at staging a historical cai luong play, the collective artists of the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe (Tay Ninh) have expressed their aspiration to bring Vietnamese historical cai luong back to modern life, where the audience not only watches but also contemplates.

"The troupe will move towards implementing a project of one live TV show per month with the theme "Memories of Vietnamese Cai Luong History", which promises to be a place where young audiences come to watch and find in the history of the nation the perspective of today's generation when each staged work will have the breath of contemporary life" - People's Artist Ho Ngoc Trinh, Head of the Vam Co Cai Luong Troupe - said.

The Arts Council of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tay Ninh highly appreciated the play based on the following criteria: clear ideas, tight structure, consistent acting, especially the creativity in the reformed opera adaptation by Hoang Song Viet - who always knows how to "breathe deep soul" into historical works.

Artist Kim Nga performed Do Thich's role very emotionally.

If invested in and promoted, the play "The Capital's Waves" could completely become a new artistic highlight of Tay Ninh stage, contributing to bringing historical reformed opera closer to young audiences.

The play features the participation of artists: Meritorious Artist Ngoc Doi (Queen Mother Duong Van Nga), Meritorious Artist Vuong Tuan (Dinh Tien Hoang), Artist Le Hoang Nghi (Le Hoan), Vo Khanh Du (Dinh Lieng), Tran Minh (Nguyen Bac), Trong Tanh (Pham Hap, Pham Cu Luong), Kim Nga (Pham Thi), Thu My (Queen Ca Ong)... and actors: Phu Yen, Vuong Chau, Ngan Cuong, Tran Linh, Phuong Nhi, Ngoc Hoang Oanh... along with the Blue Wave Dance Group.

"The art of reformed opera regains its inspirational power - a power that comes from emotions, intelligence and the belief that only when we know how to dialogue with the past with love and tolerance, can history truly live in the present" - People's Artist Ho Ngoc said.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ngoc-doi-le-hoang-nghi-thu-my-tao-dau-an-dep-trong-vo-de-do-song-ca-19625111109523385.htm