Agarwood Stage: 50 years of lighting up to serve the audience

The stage of Tuong and folk opera Bai Choi in Khanh Hoa has a long history of formation and development, but it was not until after the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country that it was organized systematically, on a large scale and professionally. Over the past 50 years, generations of artists and stage actors from Tram land have always strived to dedicate themselves to serving the audience.

Báo Khánh Hòa•15/04/2025

A mark of the times

Right after the liberation of the country, playwright Nguyen Sy Chuc and his fellow artists, actors, and musicians of the Central - Central Liberation Folk Drama Troupe arrived in Nha Trang City. This is a Bai Choi singing troupe that gathers people trained in the great rear of the North to perform for the people and soldiers in the mountainous areas of Quang Nam province and the Central Highlands, then follows the footsteps of the liberation army to Khanh Hoa . “After the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, in Khanh Hoa province, two Tuong art troupes were soon established, gathered from a number of private troupes and transformed into collective activities. Along with our folk drama troupe from the battlefield, the stage art in Khanh Hoa province now has both Tuong and Bai Choi - the two most popular forms of art among the people here. The art troupes continuously perform for audiences in all localities in the province, performing for long periods in provinces across the country,” said playwright Nguyen Sy Chuc.

Artists from the Tuong troupe of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater perform the historical play "Admiral Bui Thi Xuan".

In 1986, Phu Khanh Tuong Theatre was established, on the basis of 2 Tuong troupes formed after the liberation day, along with a number of other functional units. The establishment of the theatre marked a new stage of development of the stage arts in Khanh Hoa when it performed for the audience, while researching and preserving the traditional Tuong stage art capital in order to exploit, inherit and develop this art form. By the end of 1989, when Phu Khanh province was separated, a part of the theatre was transferred to Phu Yen province and Phu Khanh Tuong Theatre was renamed Khanh Hoa Tuong Theatre. Thus, up to this point in Khanh Hoa, the Tuong Theatre and the Folk Drama Troupe managed by the State are still maintained. In addition, there are also a number of private troupes operating. When recalling the Khanh Hoa stage in the past, many people still remember the nights of performances packed with audiences. In difficult circumstances, lacking in material conditions, the province's art troupes still received the attention of leaders at all levels and the love of the audience. Therefore, the artists, actors, and musicians at that time wholeheartedly served the audience. To this day, many people still remember the faces and names of artists such as: Hoang Thu, Tran Thi Thoi, Bich Lien, Quang Hanh, Nguyen Dinh Anh, Nguyen Ngoc Chau, Minh Tam, Dung Tien, Thu Ha, Vo Thanh Hoa, Bach En, Thanh Binh, Nguyen Huu Hung, Luu Kim Hung, Tran Nhat Le, Linh Nham, Bich Thuy, Bich Vuong...

In 2002, to facilitate research and performance organization, the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater was established, on the basis of merging the Tuong Theater with the Provincial Folk Song and Drama Troupe and has maintained its operations to this day.

Continuing the development journey

It can be seen that, in the 50-year journey, although Khanh Hoa stage has had many changes in terms of organization, the force of artists, actors and musicians has made many contributions to the general development of literature and art of the province. Hundreds of plays have been staged, the province's stage art troupes are not afraid of difficulties, continuously organizing performances to serve political tasks, serve the people, especially in remote islands and mountainous areas. Many plays have won high awards in national professional stage festivals and performances; many artists, actors and musicians have won medals through festival seasons and performances. Up to now, Khanh Hoa province's stage art has had 2 artists awarded or posthumously awarded the State Prize for Literature and Art; 5 artists have been awarded the title of People's Artist, 14 artists have been awarded the title of Meritorious Artist.

Artists from the Tuong troupe of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater perform the historical play "Admiral Bui Thi Xuan".

Along with staging and performance, research and script writing activities are also focused on and promoted. We can mention the contributions of traditional art researcher and script writer Mich Quang, playwrights: Nguyen Sy Chuc, Le Nhi Ha, Nguyen The Khoa... Besides, the later generation of artists of the Provincial Traditional Arts Theater also gradually affirmed their talents such as: Thuy Thoa, Thuy Thoa, Van Soai, Son Ha, Thanh Phuong...

According to artist Tran Ha - Chairman of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association, the Theatre Association under the Provincial Literature and Arts Association currently has more than 70 members, of which more than 40 are members of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association. During the 50-year journey of construction and development, the stage arts have always had outstanding individual artists and excellent plays. The serious and diligent creative work of those working in the stage has made an important contribution to the general activities of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association. In the coming time, the association will continue to create conditions for artists and actors to develop their expertise and skills; improve the quality of the association's activities so that members specializing in theatre can make more contributions and dedication. At the same time, advise the provincial leaders to promptly have policies to care for and support artists and actors to stick with the profession.

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Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/van-hoa/202504/san-khau-xu-tram-50-nam-sang-den-phuc-vu-khan-gia-d576b3f/