Da Nang is one of the few Vietnamese localities that have two professional performing arts theaters, with Trung Vuong and Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Tuong (Classic Drama) theaters, with a team of highly-qualified artistes. In addition to fulfilling political tasks and bringing performing arts closer to the public, theaters are making efforts to improve the quality of their operations, build top-notch programmes to put them into operation, and contribute to the development of the cultural industry commensurate with the city's status.

Cham dance performance in the arts programme ‘Vietnamese soul’ serving tourists at the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater. Photo: XUAN DUNG

It can be seen that, over recent years, performing arts activities in the city have more positive signals. Performing arts activities from professionals to the masses are held regularly, especially on holidays, at Tet and at major anniversaries of the city and the country, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere for both locals and tourists. Contributing to this common result, the city's two theaters have made remarkable efforts.

In particular, the Trung Vuong Theater actively works with organisations and individuals in the city and other parts of the country to make contracts for the staging and performance of special and high-quality arts programmes to serve events and associations targeting tourists.

In  a similar vein, the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater actively restores excerpts of ancient Tuong in parallel with building new plays to be performed at the theater, and such highly inviting programmes as ‘Tuong on the street’, ‘School stage’, and ‘Heritage road’ at the Da Nang International Airport every Thursday and Saturday night.

Based on these aforementioned activities, the two theaters have formed a team of talented artistes who won high prizes at national arts competitions and festivals. This is the premise for the city to promote the development of professional arts, build professional, high-quality programmes with its own identity, quickly catching up with the North and the South of the country.

As reported  by Director of the Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre Tran Ngoc Tuan, his unit currently has a team of 51 actors and musicians in total, more than 10 people of whom are highly experienced People's and Meritorious artists, the rest are talented and well-trained.

In 2022 and 2023, the theater's troupe competed in 3 national competitions and festivals about Tuong and ethnic musical instruments and won high prizes.  This affirmed the quality of the existing theater's human resources, and at the same time left a mark in terms of the traditional arts activities of Da Nang on professionals and the public nationwide.

With award-winning performances and plays, the theater is actively integrating them into periodical and annual arts programmes to serve both residents and visitors. In particular, in order to diversify programmes, the theater is building the programme ‘The Perfume of Da Nang’ with 12 unique arts performances, which is expected to be staged at the end of September 2023. This programme is meticulously invested, with famous artists and artisans directly staged.

“This programme brings together the traditional arts repertoire, bearing the identity of the city's marine culture. The theater hopes that after its debut, the programme will become a highlight to attract attebtion of locals and tourists," Mr. Tuan said.

Likewise, determining professional arts performance as a core value, the Trung Vuong Theater has actively built a team of young and talented artistes, actors and musicians. This team regularly performs in major festivals and events across the city.

Artistes of Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theater show professional experience and solid expertise, winning high prizes at national art competitions and festivals. Artistes are pictured performming the scene ‘My hometown festival’ at the ‘Vietnamese soul’ show. Photo: XUAN DUNG

Director of Trung Vuong Theater Tran Van Hao said that the unit is building up a project of totally and comprehensively raising the bar from its infrastructure to human resources. In particular, there is a proposal for the city to change the name ‘Trung Vuong Theater’ to ‘Trung Vuong Music and Dance Theater’, inviting many famous art troupes, academic art programmes at home and abroad to perform in Da Nang.

In the coming time, Viet Nam, and Da Nang in particular, will develop artistic cultural activities of international scale. Therefore, the theater is focusing on developing dynamic human resources that can adapt to the environment as well as the public's future tendency to enjoy arts.

“The theater also plans to invite foreign experts to train its artistes and musicians in performance skills, harmony, arrangement, and vocals, thereby step by step improving the theater’s operational efficiency, launching top-notch arts performances and programmes, creating a mark for the city's performance activities”, Mr. Hao said.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports Nguyen Thi Hoi An, through arts activities, contests and performances, the theaters’ human resources are fostered significantly. In general, the human resources for performing arts activities in the city, especially in the two theaters are now relatively talented and excellent, serving well political work and professional and mass art activities.

However, the city still determines that it is necessary to promote professional performing activities, especially to build unique and distinctive shows.

Recently, the Department has proposed the Department of Performing Arts under the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to support international cooperation, bringing world-famous musical bands and orchestras to Da Nang for performances, thereby creating a vibrant and diverse cultural environment, fully meeting the arts enjoyment needs of the public.

Reporting by XUAN DUNG - Translating by A.THU