VietNamNet Bridge - Five of the 20 artisans of the 100-year-old Dong Thinh tuong (classical opera) troupe in southern Vinh Long Province will take part in the 2007 Smithsonian Festival held in June in the US.

The 5 artisans (3 actors and 2 musicians) will perform a 45-minute tuong excerpt titled Tiet Giao doat ngoc (Tiet Giao Won Gems). 

Vu Linh Tam from the Vinh Long Culture and Arts Association, said: "This piece is based on an old story extolling patriotism.  After Vinh Long tuong was chosen by the Ministry of Culture and Information to take part in the festival, the Smithsonian Institute sent a delegation to Vinh Long to attend rehearsals.  It is Vinh Long's privilege to represent Vietnamese classical opera at the festival.

Being able to maintain Dong Thinh, the only tuong troupe in Vinh Long, is a great effort. Though under the management of the Department of Culture and Information, the Dong Thinh troupe operates in a socialised model:  actors don't receive salaries, live in different districts, and learn the profession from the older generation.  And in order to earn a living, they have to work extra jobs, most of which are small trade.

Dong Thinh doesn't just perform in Vinh Long.  It annually stages an average of 150 shows, (2/3 of which are held outside the province.  Other provinces in the Mekong Delta region often invite Dong Thinh on the occasion of folk festivals.  For each show, an actor receives a meager compensation of VND 60,000 - 120,000 (US$4-9).

Before 1975, Vinh Long had about 6 tuong troupes.  At present, however, besides Dong Thinh, there is only 1 tuong club.  In addition, there have been hardly any new tuong script writers emerge.  Dong Thinh thus has had to perform old Chinese works again and again. 

(Source:  Lao Dong)