The story of the youngest People's Artist of Tuong in Da Thanh

" What a strange play"

Artist Phan Van Quang started the story of his career pursuing the art of Tuong in Quang Nam with the word luck. He said that he was lucky because he met good teachers and dear co-actors who always supported him wholeheartedly. But according to him, the luckiest thing was that from the beginning, he was chosen as the main actor and then had many opportunities to shine on stage. However, looking back on the journey, we can see that if there was only luck but no talent, perseverance in training and especially passion, there would not be a talented Tuong director Phan Van Quang like today.

People's Artist Phan Van Quang plays Hoang Phi Ho in the play Tram Huong Cac

"In the summer of 1987, from my hometown Que Tho (Hiep Duc District, Quang Nam), I went to Tra My to visit relatives when the Quang Nam - Da Nang Tuong Art Troupe came to perform. I watched and immediately fell in love with the play. When I got home, I used banana leaves to prepare costumes and props and then played the roles myself. At the end of high school, I passed the exam and was recruited by the Tuong troupe to be an actor. After a period of studying as an auditor, I was forced to drop out of school due to family circumstances. I wandered around to make a living, but deep down, I could never forget the play. I returned to my hometown to participate in the amateur Tuong movement and won an excellent award. This was my chance to return to the Tuong troupe and continue my studies. Many people said that my love for Tuong was strange. As for me, I felt that Tuong had seeped into my blood and flesh," said Mr. Quang.

With his natural talent and his own efforts, Mr. Phan Van Quang has succeeded in many leading roles in plays. In particular, since 2015, when he became a Meritorious Artist, he has won many major national awards, such as: gold medal for the role of Thi Sach in the play Trung Vuong (2015); gold medal for the role of Tran Phong in the play Nhu nhung tuong dai (2016), gold medal for the role of Dong Kim Lan in the play Son Hau, award for excellent Tuong actor for the role of Le Dai Cang in the play Hoan Lo (2020)... As an artist with a strong will and always striving to conquer the pinnacle of Tuong art, Mr. Quang completed the stage directing course at the Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema in 2015.

In nearly 10 years as a director, artist Phan Van Quang has staged dozens of plays that have left a deep impression on those who love tuong, such as: Nang Tam, Ruc lua hoang cung, Nguoi thay cua moi doi... In early 2024, Mr. Phan Van Quang was awarded the title of People's Artist.

DEEP BUT CLOSE

Talking about his memories of his roles, People's Artist Phan Van Quang said that he was most successful with the main role in the play Hoang Phi Ho Qua Gioi Bai Quan. This is a role with an extremely difficult performance psychology when the main character has to struggle to maintain loyalty while King Tru does bad things. "A role with a very difficult mood, difficult performance art, difficult movements", Mr. Quang said and said: "The second role that I am most satisfied with is the historical character Tran Binh Trong. This is also a big role and also very difficult in terms of performance art, dancing style, singing style... How to express the great thoughts and chivalry of Tran Binh Trong, requires careful research, when performing, I have to transform into the character".

People's Artist Phan Van Quang teaches performance skills to students

Growing up from a live actor, to a director, People's Artist Phan Van Quang sees that he has the advantage of understanding the psychology of performance, performance form and characteristics of Tuong art, so one thing is certain, the plays directed by him will have a stronger Tuong breath, not mixed with folk songs, Cai Luong... "When performing, I know where to act, where to be conventional. The actors I choose for the main and secondary roles will be the most suitable choices based on understanding each person", Mr. Quang said. To have a well-prepared Tuong play that touches people's hearts, he also requires very high skills from the actors. He does demonstrations and requires the actors to make an effort to "load" the character's thoughts. If he can get 9 points, the actors must also get 8 points, below that is not allowed. Because he believes that the future of Tuong art lies in the young generation, he is a bit strict but will create a foundation for the actors to confidently practice the profession and pass on the profession to the future.

People's Artist Phan Van Quang said he felt a little sad when performing but there were few audiences, and young people were not interested. However, participating in programs to bring Tuong to schools, Mr. Quang was excited to see students excited about the performances. Depending on the age, the plays selected to introduce to the students will have appropriate content. Through that, he and the actors guided the students to learn more about Tuong. Considering his dedication to the art of Tuong as the happiness of his life, Mr. Quang considered his mission to bring Tuong closer and closer to the public.

"Uncle Ho once taught that plays are good but "don't stay in the same place, don't sow sesame seeds and reap corn". So how can we adapt plays so that young people can easily understand them while still preserving their traditional qualities? For example, plays written entirely in Chinese characters must be translated. Chinese plays must be Vietnamized so that viewers can understand what the content is trying to convey and where people are going", Mr. Quang suggested. (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhat-nghe-tinh-chuyen-cua-nsnd-tuong-tre-nhat-da-thanh-185241219234028444.htm