Phuong Hong Thuy returned to the theater after 30 years because of a play with the following lyrics: Oh my god, I'm a Cai Luong artist!

The news that artist Phuong Hong Thuy will perform this year's Tet play at Hoang Thai Thanh stage has made the reformed opera forums bustling.

Phuong Hong Thuy and Vu Linh once made their mark in the plays Co Dao Hat, Duyen Kiep... - Photo: L.DOAN

Phuong Hong Thuy lives in the US, and in recent years she has rarely appeared on stage, especially in full plays. Therefore, hearing that she is back, especially in the field of drama which is not her forte, makes her beloved audience even more curious.

Please husband come back to act

* Nearly 30 years ago (around 1997, 1998), you tried your hand at drama as a walk, but after a long time, what brought you back to drama this time?

- The first time I acted in a play was Raise the Red Lantern at Idecaf Theater directed by Hoa Ha.

I played the role of Mrs. Ba, a beautiful memory in my career alongside artists such as the late director Le Cung Bac, film actors Huynh Anh Tuan, Hoang Trinh... But my roots are still Cai Luong and my affinity with Cai Luong is still stronger, so my drama legacy is only that much.

Later, when I settled abroad, every time I returned home, although I performed less, I always took time to watch my colleagues in opera and drama plays.

Regarding plays, I often watch at Hoang Thai Thanh and Thien Dang. It's not that I dislike other stages, but because of limited time, I try to go to places where my contemporaries are present, so I can watch them perform and have time to meet and chat.

Last time I came back, I went to Hoang Thai Thanh to see the play Trai tim oan khan . After that, Ms. Ai Nhu invited me to participate in the play 29 anh ve , performed during Tet this year.

I hesitated and asked for a day to think about it. One day I hesitated and asked my husband: Honey, can I go home to act in a play this Tet? My husband asked: Do you think it can be done? I smiled and said: Let me try!

* It was a rather quick decision, weren't you worried about returning to the stage after nearly 40 years?

- I watched quite a few plays at Hoang Thai Thanh. When Ai Nhu told me about the play 29 Brothers Returning, I vaguely thought I already knew about it, but now thinking back, I'm startled that I missed it and haven't seen this play yet.

Maybe because I read a lot of information about the play, heard people praise Ai Nhu for playing the role of teacher Dieu Hoai (the role that Phuong Hong Thuy plays in the new version) very well, so I had an impression. This part just started to shake.

An acquaintance told me to watch a few scenes from the play online, but I decided not to watch them, just to think for myself. I have been in the profession for decades, but I am still nervous. For me, no matter how old I am, I still have to learn. Returning to the stage this time is still a new page for me, like starting over.

I am now also forgetful, but Thanh Hoi always reassures me that he will train me to do everything. In general, I believe in the professional attitude of Thanh Hoi, Ai Nhu, and Hoang Thai Thanh theater. They are talented, careful, and meticulous people. Coming back to me is to learn, to discover , and to hope that they will fuel my passion for the profession.

Artist Phuong Hong Thuy - Photo: L.DOAN

The profession is given to you, how dare you say no?

* As a cai luong artist who acts in plays, are you afraid of acting but still "mix" cai luong?

- I am still praised by many people for performing well in the social reformed opera field. Whenever the audience meets me, they always mention the roles in social reformed opera plays such as Duyen Kiep, Co Dao Hat, Han Mac Tu, Song Dai, Lan and Diep... Previously, Mr. Vu Linh once said, "Giving social roles to Phuong Hong Thuy is reassuring."

Phuong Hong Thuy

So when I act, I'm not too worried. If I make a mistake, experienced people like Mr. Hoi and Ms. Ai Nhu will probably correct me, hopefully it won't be too bad (laughs). I myself have to try my best to not disappoint the audience who loves me and the Hoang Thai Thanh stage.

* In a conversation, you admitted that you have not worked for more than 20 years. What is the reason that you want to "retire"?

- For an artist, being loved by the ancestors to do this job is a blessing. The ancestors have given me this job, how can I dare to say no? It's just that each person has their own personality. At this age, I like peace, turn my heart to Buddhism, like the tranquility in my small garden, in my peaceful home.

Every day I see the flowers I planted blooming, the vegetables I took care of growing fresh, I feel happy. I am afraid of competition and fighting, so I just live quietly.

Occasionally singing for charity, singing at temples, and when I return home, my esteemed colleagues occasionally invite me to sing a few songs in their shows, that’s enough. I’m happier when I only appear once in a while but every time I’m loved and cheered on by the audience.

There was a special reason I accepted to participate in the play 29 Anh Ve because in the play's staging plan, Thanh Hoi would have the character of teacher Dieu Hoai sing a few lines from the song Da Co Hoai Lang. And he would sing it plainly, in the old style, singing in a four-beat rhythm.

Oh my god, I'm a Cai Luong fan, hearing that made my passion for the profession rise. I'd still enjoy singing the song without an instrument. I've never practiced Da Co Hoai Lang in the four-beat style before. Participating in the play is like having an opportunity to explore and learn the old style of singing, strange but also very interesting!

PHUONG HONG THUY

LINH DOAN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phuong-hong-thuy-30-nam-tro-lai-san-kich-vi-vo-dien-co-ca-may-cau-troi-oi-toi-dan-cai-luong-ma-20251116091633179.htm