The vitality of Cheo in modern times
In front of the Vietnam Cheo Theater, the reporter met Phan Minh Cham (25 years old, from Vinh Phuc) who was asking to buy tickets to watch the Cheo play "Xuy Van". Tickets for both shows on June 28 and 29 have sold out, surprising the young girl. Eager to enjoy the play, Minh Cham was lucky enough to buy the last ticket, even though the location near the edge of the stage was not very ideal.
Minh Cham shared that she has loved Cheo since childhood through watching with grandparents at village festivals. When she learned that "Xuy Van" was staged and performed again after 7 years, she immediately went to the theater right after work.
Sharing with Lao Dong reporter, Dr. People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong - Director of the Vietnam Cheo Theater - affirmed that "Xuy Van" is one of the 7 precious gems of Cheo art, along with "Quan Am Thi Kinh", " Luu Binh - Duong Le", "Tu Thuc", "Truong Vien", "Chu Mai Than", "Ton Manh - Ton Trong". Through historical changes and historical flows, classic Cheo plays are still welcomed by audiences.
In recent years, as Director of the Vietnam Cheo Theater, People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong has guided the theater to organize many events, the Golden Star Theater every month, the lives of artists have improved a lot, and have been fostered.
People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong said: "When life changes, actions also change. We cannot sit in one place waiting for the audience to buy tickets and cheer.
New future for Cheo
Regarding the merger of the Vietnam Cheo Theater, Cai Luong Vietnam Theater and Tuong Vietnam Theater into the Vietnam National Traditional Theater on July 1, People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong expressed optimism and hope that now, the three theaters will become streamlined - compact - strong, have more opportunities, open up potential to bring traditional arts to the public.
"I don't blame anyone, I want to think and change to attract audiences to the theater, from there artists have a better life, giving their all to Cheo. Some people are optimistic and blame the wind, others hope the wind will change direction, but others have to adjust the sails. I always hope that knowledge, art or expertise will come out of the pages of books and into life" - People's Artist Le Tuan Cuong said.
From the performance "Dao thuy" with the Cheo sound of the Call Me by Fire program, the Director of the Vietnam Cheo Theater pointed out that many famous Vietnamese musicians also inherited traditional materials and included them in their compositions such as: Pho Duc Phuong, An Thuyen... Or even musician Giang Son - son of People's Artist Hoang Kieu, author of the classic play "Xuy Van" - also inherited the beauty of traditional music in his works.
To preserve traditional Cheo and develop contemporary Cheo, it is necessary to selectively and carefully evaluate typical works with high value in both content and art form, especially to preserve the "ading of Cheo" and bear the mark of the Vietnamese national identity.
