Hai Duong Cheo Theater stages new Cheo play 'Sage of the East'

Delegates attending the ceremony

On the morning of May 8, Hai Duong Cheo Theater announced the staging of the new play "Sage of the East".

Speaking at the announcement ceremony, the leaders of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism acknowledged the efforts of the Cheo Theatre in preserving and promoting traditional artistic values. At the same time, they emphasized the role of profound works of art imbued with national identity such as "Hien si xu Dong" in effectively implementing the Resolution of the 5th Central Committee (VIII term) on building an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity. This is a key professional activity in 2025, approved by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Truong Thang spoke at the announcement ceremony.

The play “The Wise Man of the East” depicts the image of Tran Thi Kien (1260 - 1330), a wise man of the East, a guest of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. He was famous for being an honest mandarin, especially good at the Book of Changes.

Using ancient Cheo language combined with modern creativity, the play will be a blend of epic and contemporary emotions, conveying profound lessons about the personality, loyalty and bravery of the Vietnamese people.

Director, People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong, Deputy Director in charge of Vietnam Cheo Theater, representing the production crew of the play, spoke at the announcement ceremony.

The work was written and directed by Dr. Tran Dinh Ngon, a veteran writer of contemporary Cheo theater, staged by People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong, and performed by Meritorious Artist Thanh Nam.

The play "The Sage of the East" is expected to be performed at the end of June 2025.

Tran Thi Kien (some books call him Tran Kien), was from Cu Xa village, Dong Trieu district, Tan Hung prefecture (now Dong Trieu town, Quang Ninh province). Together with Pham Ngu Lao, Truong Han Sieu, Pham Lam, Ngo Si Thuong, Nguyen The Truc..., Tran Thi Kien was originally a guest of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. Because he admired his talent, Tran Quoc Tuan recommended him to the king and he was employed by the king. Tran Kien was very knowledgeable about the Book of Changes, he cast divinations and correctly predicted the outcome of the battle between the Dai Viet army and the Yuan army.

After pacifying the rebels, in the year of Nham Thin (1292), Tran Thi Kien was appointed as the An Phu Su of Yen Khang (now Yen Khanh district, Ninh Binh province), and then he was promoted to Tri Thien Truong. In April, the year of Dinh Dau (1297), Tran Thi Kien was transferred to the position of Dai An Phu Su, concurrently holding the position of Kiem Phap Quan. While holding the position of Kiem Phap Quan, he judged all lawsuits very fairly and satisfactorily. Tran Kien was famous everywhere for being straightforward and upright.

In the year Mau Tuat (1298), King Tran Anh Tong appointed Tran Thi Kien as Nhap Noi Hanh Khien Huu Giam Nghi Dai Phu. Three years later, in the year Tan Suu (1301), he was appointed Tham Tri Chinh Su. In the year At Ty (1305), Tran Thi Kien was appointed Ta Boc Xa (Prime Minister). No matter what position he held, Tran Thi Kien always fulfilled his duties and responsibilities.

VAN TUAN

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/nha-hat-cheo-hai-duong-dan-dung-vo-cheo-moi-hien-si-xu-dong-411116.html