Meritorious Artist Kim Tu Long creates new colors for the classic play "San Hau"

NSƯT Kim Tử Long tạo sắc màu mới cho vở kinh điển — Artists were moved by the audience's affection for "San Hau" on the evening of August 23, 2025

On the evening of August 23 at Tran Huu Trang Theater, the audience of Cai Luong in Ho Chi Minh City had the opportunity to enjoy the classic classical play "San Hau" adapted from the script of the master of Tuong Dao Tan, written by Bach To My - Nguyen Minh. This is the university graduation play of Tran Quynh Anh (stage name Bach To My) with a major in stage directing. When it was no longer an "exam", the play reached the light of the professional stage, gathering a large number of artists and bringing a version that was warmly received by the audience.

Kim Tu Long fulfills Tran Quynh Anh's career dream

From the graduation report to the finished production is a process that requires the artistic advice of a senior, Tran Quynh Anh has had this luck. Coming from the Bach Long Children's training class, Tran Quynh Anh is familiar to the public as a promising young actress.

When she stepped into the role of director, she chose "San Hau", a classic work with many complex layers of drama, as her graduation mark. After the report, Quynh Anh received many frank comments from experts, thanks to which the play was reinforced, the script and rhythm were edited.

In particular, the presence of Meritorious Artist Kim Tu Long as an artistic advisor has brought about important changes. The play has been shortened, the rhythm has been increased, the character psychology has been deepened and the unique aspects of the play have been emphasized. Not only as an advisor, Kim Tu Long has also directly transformed into Dong Kim Lan, creating more attraction.

The show debuted under the name of the organizing unit Kim Tu Long Entertainment Services Company Limited, bringing a more professional and lively appearance compared to the "graduation exam" version.

Music and fine arts create depth. The music is performed by artists Thanh Phong, Thanh Phuc, Phi Hac, and the traditional music group of musicians Duy Khoi and Ba Thanh. The Cai Luong melodies mixed with Ly melodies have contributed to portraying the characters' moods, making many performances become deep and touching the audience's emotions.

The stage was designed by Truong Loc and Huynh Trung with beautiful landscape paintings, honoring the epic quality of classical opera, while creating a background for the performance.

Kim Tu Long creates a combined mark of the Minh To family

One of the big highlights of the show was the gathering of artists from the Minh To family appearing together: Meritorious Artist Tu Suong (Ta Ngoc Dung), Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh (Ta Nguyet Kieu), Artist Le Thanh Thao (Phan Phung Co), Artist Hong Quyen (Te Thien Ton), Artist Xuan Truong (Trieu Khac Thuong) and Artist Xuan Truc (Phan Dinh Cong).

This combination has brought about the artistic reunion atmosphere of a strong family with 6 generations in the singing profession, creating a performance full of artistic quality. Among the young artists, Trong Nhan (Khuong Linh Ta) is a prominent highlight.

With his singing and acting style inspired by the late Meritorious Artist Vu Linh, he has won the hearts of the audience. Every time he appears, Trong Nhan receives enthusiastic applause from the audience.

In particular, he showed his stage presence in an unfortunate situation: when his red scarf prop flew off his collar. Instead of being flustered, he used his long hair to complete the act of "picking up his head and putting it back together".

That intelligent and convincing way of handling the situation made the audience burst into applause, proving the maturity of a young artist.

Besides, the audience also meets promising faces such as: Kim Nhuan Phat (King of Qi), Tran Quynh Anh (Phan Diem), Ha My Anh (Trieu Le Trinh), Dang Quang (Ta Thien Lang), Son Minh (Ta On Dinh), Dong Tuong (Ta Loi Nhuoc), Vu Hung (Ta Loi Phuong), Thanh Du (Ta Van), Ha Nang (Eunuch Tu Trinh) and Ly Kieu Hanh (Dong Mau).

Kim Tu Long makes "San Hau" reach emotional depth

The "San Hau" version has recreated a classic story "ancientized" from the Hat Boi origin, this is a strong test of the young generation's passion for the stage.

The audience shed tears at the scene where Ta Van sacrificed his life to prevent the civil war between the Ta family and the Qi family, reminding brothers and sisters to love each other and not to sow division for personal gain. Those humane messages, in a neat, emotional production, touched the hearts of the audience.

"San Hau" by Tran Quynh Anh shows the continuation of the traditional Cai Luong Tuong genre: it both maintains the traditional spirit and has necessary innovations. The success of the play is no longer a "test" but has been upgraded, opening up expectations for a young director with enough strength and passion to contribute to the revival of the traditional Tuong genre on the stage in Ho Chi Minh City today.

"I am very happy to accompany young people who are passionate about traditional opera. Helping them gain new experiences to practice their craft is my responsibility" - Meritorious Artist Kim Tu Long said.

Below are some pictures of the new version of "San Hau":