A troupe in Can Tho city is holding performances of ‘hat boi’ by skilledartists and offering free training to youth to introduce futuregenerations to the classical drama.
The Phuong Anh Troupe of BinhThuy district's Cultural House has travelled around the region to offerinteractive performances this summer.
‘Hat boi’ is a symbolicform of traditional art that originated in the central region andexpanded in southern Vietnam, particularly in Mekong River Deltaprovinces.
"Our performances provide local people with the basicknowledge of ‘hat boi’ and instruments. The audiences can also learn toplay the music, sing and dance traditional tunes," said Nguyen Thi Anh,60, head of the troupe.
Using their strong voices and danceskills and playing traditional instruments to great effect, Anh and herpeers impress their audiences with popular plays about the hopes anddreams of people.
They have visited many villages of Can Tho andneighbouring provinces, including Hau Giang, An Giang, Vinh Long andDong Thap, to feature a long life for ‘hat boi’.
Anh said her troupe were keen on exposing youth to ‘hat boi’, which is part of their heritage that is hundreds of years old.
"Wealso hope that our troupe will give youth the opportunity to understandand appreciate the country's traditional theatre," she said.
Anh is the third generation of her family involves in this classical drama art.
Shebegan singing on the stage at the age of 10 after learning her firstlesson of the art from her parents. Both were famous in the regionduring the 1960s.
She worked for the Phuoc Tan Hat Boi Troupe ofCan Tho, playing several leading roles in famous plays such as ‘DuongVe Que Me’ (Road to the Homeland) and ‘Tieu Anh Phung’ (Heroine Tieu AnhPhung).
In 1980, Anh moved to Dong Thap and opened her owntroupe called Dong Thap-Homeland which attracted dozens of skilledartists. Five years later she closed the troupe after facing financialdifficulties.
In 2004, she returned to Can Tho and reopened the Phuong Anh Troupe.
"I saw the love for ‘hat boi’ from the local people," said Anh.
Theatrescriptwriter Nham Hung of the Vietnam Theatre Artists' Associationsaid: "Anh is one of the region's very few professional performers whohave kept the art original and unique on stage. Thanks to her troupe,‘hat boi’ will remain alive."
"We're working with local authorities to help Anh develop her troupe's business," he said.
‘Hatboi’ was created in the 12th century, and is considered the prototypefor ‘cai luong’ (reformed opera) in southern Vietnam.
The art itself is a mix of old southern Vietnamese tunes and Binh Dinh classical opera.
In the late 19th century, ‘hat boi’ was performed at traditional festivals and anniversaries.
Itis has traditional, royal, social and modern styles, and featuresdances, songs and music highly stylised and symbolic. The performersspeak, sing and dance.
‘Hat boi’ artists also use theatre costume accessories and equipment to represent their characters on stage.-VNA
The Phuong Anh Troupe of BinhThuy district's Cultural House has travelled around the region to offerinteractive performances this summer.
‘Hat boi’ is a symbolicform of traditional art that originated in the central region andexpanded in southern Vietnam, particularly in Mekong River Deltaprovinces.
"Our performances provide local people with the basicknowledge of ‘hat boi’ and instruments. The audiences can also learn toplay the music, sing and dance traditional tunes," said Nguyen Thi Anh,60, head of the troupe.
Using their strong voices and danceskills and playing traditional instruments to great effect, Anh and herpeers impress their audiences with popular plays about the hopes anddreams of people.
They have visited many villages of Can Tho andneighbouring provinces, including Hau Giang, An Giang, Vinh Long andDong Thap, to feature a long life for ‘hat boi’.
Anh said her troupe were keen on exposing youth to ‘hat boi’, which is part of their heritage that is hundreds of years old.
"Wealso hope that our troupe will give youth the opportunity to understandand appreciate the country's traditional theatre," she said.
Anh is the third generation of her family involves in this classical drama art.
Shebegan singing on the stage at the age of 10 after learning her firstlesson of the art from her parents. Both were famous in the regionduring the 1960s.
She worked for the Phuoc Tan Hat Boi Troupe ofCan Tho, playing several leading roles in famous plays such as ‘DuongVe Que Me’ (Road to the Homeland) and ‘Tieu Anh Phung’ (Heroine Tieu AnhPhung).
In 1980, Anh moved to Dong Thap and opened her owntroupe called Dong Thap-Homeland which attracted dozens of skilledartists. Five years later she closed the troupe after facing financialdifficulties.
In 2004, she returned to Can Tho and reopened the Phuong Anh Troupe.
"I saw the love for ‘hat boi’ from the local people," said Anh.
Theatrescriptwriter Nham Hung of the Vietnam Theatre Artists' Associationsaid: "Anh is one of the region's very few professional performers whohave kept the art original and unique on stage. Thanks to her troupe,‘hat boi’ will remain alive."
"We're working with local authorities to help Anh develop her troupe's business," he said.
‘Hatboi’ was created in the 12th century, and is considered the prototypefor ‘cai luong’ (reformed opera) in southern Vietnam.
The art itself is a mix of old southern Vietnamese tunes and Binh Dinh classical opera.
In the late 19th century, ‘hat boi’ was performed at traditional festivals and anniversaries.
Itis has traditional, royal, social and modern styles, and featuresdances, songs and music highly stylised and symbolic. The performersspeak, sing and dance.
‘Hat boi’ artists also use theatre costume accessories and equipment to represent their characters on stage.-VNA
