Nine “tuong” plays, with topics ranging from history to modern folk,will be performed by seven top “tuong” companies, including theVietnam “Tuong” Theatre, the Hue Royal “Tuong” Troupe and the Dao TanTuong Troupe.
To encourage talented youths, only artists under the age of 40 are allowed to take part in the festival this year.
"The regulation is set to give young artists an opportunity to performon the stage, as well as to ensure that youths have enoughopportunities to take main roles," said Vuong Duy Bien, director of theArt Performances Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism.
Vietnam “Tuong” Theatre directorHoang Khiem expressed his approval of this regulation: "The board limitsthe participating age so that the theatres give main roles for younggeneration. Even young artists have to strive for promotion in theircareers. At the moment, there are many talented youths in the theatre,such as actresses Loc Huyen and Phuong Thanh and actors Dinh Long andDuc Manh."
The jury will grade the artists based on their performances, not based on the quality of the plays.
Two plays that the Vietnam “Tuong” Theatre will bring to thefestival are Son Hau and That Hien Quyen. Son Hau is about fighting forpower in an acient Chinese royal court. That Hien Quyen focuses ondescribing social ethics through stories shared among members in afamily.
The festival, organised by the culture ministry's Arts Performances Department, takes place every two years./.