“The ruggedness of a vermilion bodice” is a well-reviewed and quite unique play by author Le Chi Trung, based on the script Cheo Quan Am Thi Kinh. The work was staged by the director, People’s Artist Hoang Quynh Mai with the desire to convey to the audience a meaningful message, that is, under any circumstance, a woman must always be strong to fight back for her right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Different from the flirtatious and Thi Mau with the experimentation of cheo stage, in “ The ruggedness of a vermilion bodice”, the character Thi Mau was built in a new perspective full of humanity and feminism and has a destiny.
Taking the character Thi Mau as the center, “The ruggedness of a vermilion bodice” sketches a beautiful but also tragic love story between Thi Mau and No – the servants in the Rich Man house. According to common sense, the love of Thi Mau and No, an unmarried man and an unmarried girl, will be a beautiful ending for a happy couple. However, the concept of birth, rich and poor, and the subject of registration in the ancient feudal system made the love of Thi Mau and No to encounter many tribulations and difficulties.
When Thi Mau was pregnant, she was kicked out of the village, she didn’t know where to go, so she had to go to a temple to send the child to the novice. But then her love for the child, her torment because of her sinful actions that blamed the novice urged her to return to the temple to meet her son with penitence.
Watching “The ruggedness of a vermilion bodice”, viewers will feel the pure, loyal and responsible love of Thi Mau and No, they always know how to protect each other and protect their love. When the pregnancy incident was broken, in front of the villagers and parents, Thi Mau still resolutely defended their love and protected No from getting involved in jail. On the contrary, No is also willing to accept responsibility for himself, despite the danger, rushes to fight to protect Thi Mau, to whom he has given his love. Especially the character Thi Mau, a girl who yearns for love and dared to love, not resigned, she overcame the rigor of the feudal cult and used her intelligence, bravery and aspiration to live to regain her life, regain love and happiness for herself.
“The ruggedness of a vermilion bodice” (screenplay: Le Chi Trung; director: People’s Artist Hoang Quynh Mai; music: People’s Artist Hoang Anh Tu; art design: Meritorious Artist Van Truc) with the participation of artists from Hoa Mai Cai Luong Group – Hanoi Cai Luong Theater such as Thien Huong (as Thi Mau); Quang Thanh (as village mayor); Xuan Vuong (as No)… This play is expected to be performed to serve the audience of the Capital shortly after the rehearsal night of October 24, 2021.
Khanh Trung