At the beginning of 2024, the Cải lương liveshow of People's Artist Minh Vương attracted great attention from the audience. The performance brought an artistic experience and left many regrets for fans who couldn't get tickets. Therefore, the "manager" - artist Gia Bảo intended to organize a second liveshow exclusively for People's Artist Minh Vương to reciprocate the audience's love.
"When I learned that my close friend - Meritorious Artist Bảo Quốc was returning to Vietnam, People's Artist Minh Vương wished that this would not just be a solo performance. Instead, this time it will be a reunion night of artists and stage legends of the past. That's why Gia Bảo decided to organize the Legendary Night liveshow," shared artist Gia Bảo.
This is expected to be the most grandiose Cải lương performance ever organized. The night will gather nearly 40 artists from various generations, featuring the appearance of veteran legends in Vietnamese classical music such as: People's Artist Minh Vương, People's Artist Ngọc Giàu, People's Artist Lệ Thủy, top comedian Bảo Quốc, People's Artist Thoại Miêu, People's Artist Trọng Hữu, Meritorious Artist Kim Tử Long... Additionally, the performance will bring a fresh blend of generations, with the participation of familiar faces to modern audiences such as: Meritorious Artist Minh Nhí, actor Minh Dự, Bình Tinh, Biện Thuy...
The liveshow will present a series of immortal Cải lương excerpts, associated with the golden era of Vietnamese classical theater: Rạng Ngọc Côn Sơn (People's Artist Minh Vương - People's Artist Ngọc Giàu), Tô Ánh Nguyệt (People's Artist Minh Vương - Meritorious Artist Bảo Quốc - People's Artist Thoại Miêu - Meritorious Artist Kim Tử Long - Meritorious Artist Trinh Trinh)...
The most surprising element is the reenactment of the "golden" Cải lương excerpt - The Lover on the Battlefield.
On this occasion, People's Artist Minh Vương reminisced with Meritorious Artist Mỹ Châu. He said this is a Cải lương excerpt that he performed as a duet with Mỹ Châu and has been loved by audiences for many decades.
Although they haven't had the chance to reunite yet, this excerpt is still mentioned by the audience whenever he performs on stage.
This time, "The Lover on the Battlefield" will be performed again by People's Artist Minh Vương and People's Artist Lệ Thủy. In the 90s, both People's Artist Minh Vương and People's Artist Lệ Thủy left a strong impression on the audience with this script, but they have never sung together.
Therefore, this is the first time that Cải lương enthusiasts and audiences will witness People's Artist Minh Vương and People's Artist Lệ Thủy combining on stage for this excerpt.
On this occasion, People's Artist Minh Vương also expressed concerns about his health. He said he apologizes to the audience and the media and hopes for forgiveness if his performance is not up to par due to health issues.
Additionally, artist Gia Bảo also revealed that Meritorious Artist Bảo Quốc will, for the first time, portray characters completely different from the roles familiar to the audience in two excerpts: Tô Ánh Nguyệt and Sông dài.
"I have received many roles, and some are not comedic. But my forte is comedy, so sometimes I will explore and try to bring gentle laughter into the roles. But it has to be humor that fits the content and story of the play. This is also a challenge, and I have to strive to bring it to the audience," Meritorious Artist Bảo Quốc added.
Artist Gia Bảo also explained the term "legendary" in this performance. He affirmed that this performance does not aim to elevate any individual but is a stage to honor veteran artists - the quintessence of Cải lương art over the decades such as: People's Artist Minh Vương, People's Artist Ngọc Giàu, Meritorious Artist Bảo Quốc, People's Artist Lệ Thủy, People's Artist Thoại Miêu... Other artists in the performance will play the role of guest faces, joining in the celebration with the "legends" of Vietnamese classical music.
The liveshow will take place at 7 PM on August 30, 2024, at Bến Thành Theater, Ho Chi Minh City.
