Mourning author Le Duy Hanh

With a huge volume of scripts composed with vigor and a unique perspective, author Le Duy Hanh has provided many troupes and theaters across the country with quintessential materials so that from his scripts, the stage life has many more outstanding works that are well received by the public.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, was moved to say that over the years, there has never been a year when author Le Duy Hanh's scripts have not been performed on the stages of Ho Chi Minh City and at professional theater festivals nationwide. He has devoted his whole life and energy to the Ho Chi Minh City theater in particular and the country's theater in general, leaving behind many valuable lessons for generations of young authors.

Among his many great contributions to the Southern theater, he was one of the few people who initiated the formation and development of the "Tran Huu Trang Award" from 1991 to 2012. Up to now, the award has been raised to a national level, becoming the "Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Stage Actor Talent Competition" - an artistic playground for young artists.

Author Le Duy Hanh

In his role as leader of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, he was decisive, creating solidarity and love among generations of artists, taking care of the lives of veteran artists. "During his time as leader of the association, he built two meaningful projects, fulfilling the wishes of People's Artist Phung Ha and People's Artist Bay Nam, which were to build the Ho Chi Minh City Artists' Nursing Home and the Ho Chi Minh City Artists' Cemetery and Pagoda. The activities of the Artists' Friendship Committee to care for elderly and sick artists were also given top priority by him, these were strong connections for members to live well, contributing to creating the very unique spirit of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association" - People's Artist Thanh Vy expressed.

People's Artist Viet Anh was moved to say that his passing left a huge void that could not be filled. Many scripts still have great value in terms of themes, perspectives, choice of events and convincing explanations of social conflicts.

Journalist Thanh Hiep (left) and author Le Duy Hanh in the art exchange program "Southern Melodies" in 2007 directed by Thanh Hiep at the Ho Chi Minh City Theater.

Playwright Hoang Song Viet, who adapted many works by author Le Duy Hanh, said: "His staging techniques are very profound. He often puts one or two very valuable lines into the script. From this idea, I developed a whole scene, so he often told everyone in the Authors' Association that I "understand his ideas" very well, thanks to which I have produced many scenes that are true to the Cai Luong style as he wished. The valuable lesson from him is dedication and passion for the profession."

He was one of the few people who boldly proposed the formation of the Ho Chi Minh City Experimental Theater Club, later the Ho Chi Minh City Small Stage Drama Theater. From the cradle of the first socialized theater model, he introduced many experimental scripts, creating a new breeze in the transition period of Ho Chi Minh City theater. He also advocated the formation of the Young Directors and Young Actors Club, assigning work to young people so that they have the opportunity to perform and become good artists and stage managers in the future. Among these are: Meritorious Artist Thanh Loc, People's Artist Viet Anh, People's Artist Hong Van, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Cong Ninh, Meritorious Artist Thanh Hoang, Meritorious Artist Thanh Hoi, Meritorious Artist Huu Chau, artists Ai Nhu, Quoc Thao, Thanh Thuy, Minh Nhi...

Journalist Hoang Kim said: "In the field of critical theory, author Le Duy Hanh always strives to find new directions so that each article can improve the quality of theory. He said, "Criticism is easy, but for artists to read and adjust, to improve themselves, they need love and reason." His advice has been the guiding principle for the activities of the Criticism Theory Board and the Stage Reporters Club today."

People's Artist Hong Van believes that the great success of author Le Duy Hanh is that he writes about what people think. It is easy to recognize the talented creativity in the way he puts into the script artistic details that are general and have deep meaning without shouting slogans. "My stage once staged his play "The Crossbow". He is a teacher who left our generation many valuable lessons" - People's Artist Hong Van said.

His famous works include: "Ngoc Han's Confessions", "Poisonous Flowers in the Garden" (Ngo Quyen), "Ly Chieu Hoang", "The Queen of Two Kings" (Duong Van Nga), "The Soul of Jade Poetry" (Ngoc Han), "Moving the Capital" (Ly Cong Uan), "Forever Faith" (Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Le Hong Phong), "The Magic Crossbow" (An Duong Vuong), "Night Monologue" (Ly Chieu Hoang)... Many scripts have created breakthroughs in experimental forms such as: "The Fox", "Strange Stories", "Soul of Play", "Acting Alone", "Returning to Memory", "Real Idol", "Human Pain", "Dragon and Phoenix"...

From left to right: Meritorious Artist Tu Suong, Meritorious Artist Vu Luan and artist Le Thanh Thao in the play "Southern Sky" by author Le Duy Hanh.

He highly appreciated the series of articles "The reformed theater thirsts for Vietnamese history" of the Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper and believed that it is necessary to encourage and motivate young authors to enter the field of Vietnamese history. "Just write and do not be shy or afraid. Many people writing together will contribute to rekindling the flow of Vietnamese history on the contemporary stage" - his words still ring in my ears, as if it were yesterday. He also promised the Theory and Criticism Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association that he would participate in a discussion on the topic of reformed theater history of Vietnam, but he broke the promise...

Author Le Duy Hanh, former Vice President of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association; former President of the Ho Chi Minh City Stage Association, was born in 1947 in Binh Dinh. He received the State Prize for Literature and Arts; First-class Labor Medal; 55-year Party membership badge. He passed away at noon on September 6 at his home, at the age of 77.

His funeral will be held at the Ho Chi Minh City Funeral Home (949, National Highway 1, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City). The visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. on September 7; the memorial service will be at 5:00 a.m. on September 9, followed by the procession and cremation at Binh Hung Hoa.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-nghe/tiec-thuong-tac-gia-le-duy-hanh-20230906214301447.htm