Private troupe presents operatic rendition of southern story

Young and veteran artists participating in the Hương Sắc Phương Nam (The Colour of the South) show launched by private drama troupe Sen Việt Theatre are working to preserve and develop traditional art forms in southern Việt Nam. — Photo courtesy of the theatre

HCM CITY — A special cải lương (reformed opera) performance will be restaged by young artists in HCM City on Sunday.  

The show, Hương Sắc Phương Nam (The Colour of the South), will include tài tử music, considered the prototype for vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương —  a theatre form that originated 100 years ago in the south. 

The performances are put together by young artists of the Sen Việt Theatre, a private drama troupe that opened in 2020 in HCM City. 

The combination of traditional songs, dances and musical pieces is directed and produced by Meritorious Artist Lê Nguyên Đạt, theatre director of Sen Việt. 

The actor-singers will be accompanied by Vietnamese folk instrumentalists on the tranh (Vietnamese zither), bầu (Vietnamese monochord) and nguyệt (two-stringed long neck moon flute). 

Young actors with the Sen Việt Theatre are working towards a monthly performance of Hương Sắc Phương Nam (The Colour of the South), a special show featuring tài tử music  and cải lương (reformed opera). —  Photo courtesy of the theatre

 “Each performance from the show The Colour of the South tells the stories of southern people, their history, culture and lifestyle in different periods,” said Đạt, after the show’s debut celebrated the 47th National Reunification Day on April 30. 

“Our skilled performers use their art to depict images of beautiful rivers, green fields and forests, villages and animals.”

The debut show performance at the city’s Theatres Association featured 20 artists, including young talents Thái Vinh, Đăng Khoa and Hoài Thanh. 

Đạt said The Colour of the South was his theatre’s most fascinating performing arts experiences in HCM City. “With this 60-minute show’s concept, we hope audiences will learn more about Vietnamese culture in the South,” he said.

“We have worked hard several weeks and spent a lot to ensure quality performances with beautiful clothes and accessories suited to the show’s theme.” 

Đạt said his actors are working towards making The Colour of the South a monthly performance. 

“We want to create a new art space where traditional artists can improve, share and introduce their art together to audiences,” he said. 

The Colour of the South will be staged at 8pm on Sunday at the city’s Theatres Association at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3. — VNS