First Cải Lương performance in English to premiere soon
For the first time ever, non-Vietnamese speakers will have a golden opportunity to enjoy the first Cải Lương performance in English on August 13th, 2011 at the Hanoi Theater of Cải Lương.
It is the type of traditional music that continues to pose challenges even for natives to fully appreciate, not to mention for foreigners with limited knowledge of Vietnamese.
For the first time, non-Vietnamese speakers will have the opportunity to enjoy a Cải Lương performance with English translation on August 13th, 2025, at the Hanoi Theater of Cải Lương.
The play “The King's Fate” will be performed by the artists of the theater, narrating the dramatic life of Ly Chieu Hoang, the last empress of the Ly dynasty. Ly Chieu Hoang, originally named Ly Chieu Thanh, was the daughter of King Ly Hue Tong. Due to the absence of a male heir, Princess Ly Chieu Thanh ascended to the role of empress—a rare occurrence in feudal Vietnam. After marrying Tran Canh, she relinquished the throne to her husband under the coercive arrangements of Tran Thu Do, marking the transition of power from the Ly dynasty to the Tran dynasty. In a further tragic twist, after ten years of marriage without children, Ly Chieu Hoang was compelled to give her husband to her sister. The adapted performance will vividly recount the pivotal events of her life.
Foreign audiences will use headphones to access translations and recordings in English, following the performance as it unfolds on stage.
This show may represent the beginning of a new chapter in cultural exchange. However, critics have raised concerns about the authenticity of such performances, arguing that translation may not sufficiently convey every nuance of this native art form, which was never originally intended for non-native audiences.
Regardless of the outcome, this upcoming performance promises to pave the way for a greater appreciation of Vietnamese traditional performances among international audiences.
