Minh Hai

A new theatre production is introducing Hanoi audiences to the ancient art of chầu văn

Traditional Vietnamese theatrical genres including tuồng, chèo, chầu văn singing and trù singing are typically performed in traditional venues in which audiences interact with artists in various ways, in contrast to Western theatre performances. The traditional Vietnamese performance genre with the most unique approach to space is chầu văn, which blends music, voices, acting, spirituality and other interactions.

Incorporating various artistic genres and complicated ritual factors, chầu văn is performed in religious sites such as temples and shrines. While many people are familiar with chầu văn, most don’t understand its cultural and artistic values. To introduce the public to this national cultural treasure in an accessible way, Hanoi director Viet Tu and Viettheatre created “Four realms”, a contemporary play that offers a captivating approach to chầu văn.

The production’s originality is immediately apparent. Upon entering, audiences see arrangements of votive
offerings and votive horses. Blocks of bright and bizarre colours are isolated from the performance stage, while the audience is given a little corner in which to watch what happens before and after the main performance. This arrangement creates the sense of a rich and gentle spiritual world, in stark contrast to the anguished scenes often found in temples and shrines during chầu văn performances.

The show is divided into three parts that blend acting and video against a background of electronic music. To bring the audience closer to the actors, the first act is a live video of the actors donning their turbans. A combination of traditional musical instruments breathes new life into the spiritual world of chầu văn. Videos are also used during the play. For instance,in the excerpt “Holy Father Hoang Muoi”, the director used videos so that audience members in the far corners can clearly see the actors’ movements. Video performances are shown while a group of shaman mediums perform at the front of the stage. This marriage of theatre and
video helps to depict characters and convey the soul of this art form.

The play’s three parts fit together well and kept audiences engaged. Mixing video with live performances has resulted in a fantastic depth of emotions. Viet Tu’s play “Four realms” is successfully promoting the traditional essence of chầu văn to a modern audience. Through this play, the bridge that connects the past and the present has been lengthened.