The performance artfully encapsulates the traditional atmosphere of Northern rural life before the August Revolution, featuring characters such as Bom, Mr. and Mrs. Phu Nong, farmers, buffalo, and snakes. The play seamlessly integrates various folk games, riddles, and communal songs.
On the evening of July 14, 2023, the Hanoi Cheo Theater organized a performance of the cheo play titled “Magical Sticky Rice Fist,” alternatively known as “The Story of Thang Bom.” This adaptation draws inspiration from the folk verse “Thang Bom has an areca spathe fan.”
The creation of “Magical Sticky Rice Fist” aligns with the initiative of the Hanoi Cheo Theater, outlined in the project “Introduction and Performance of Cheo Plays Adapted from Famous Literary Works of Vietnam and the World, Included in the High School Education Program in Hanoi for the 2022-2030 Period.”
The literary script is by Thien An, with the cheo adaptation by Mai Van Sinh. The play is directed by Meritorious Artist Le Tuan. Music is composed by Tat Trong, and artistic direction is in the hands of Meritorious Artist Van Truc – Ngo Thang. Choreography is led by Phung Khai, and vocal coaching is under the guidance of People’s Artist Minh Thu. Artistic direction is overseen by Meritorious Artist Thu Huyen, Deputy Director in charge of the Hanoi Cheo Theater.
“Magical Sticky Rice Fist” has brought a fresh perspective to the well-known folk tale of Bom and his areca spathe fan. The play vividly recreates the traditional setting of Northern rural life before the August Revolution, featuring characters such as Bom, Mr. and Mrs. Phu Nong, farmers, buffalo, and snakes. The performance also incorporates numerous traditional folk games, riddles, and communal songs, such as blind man’s bluff, dragons and snakes ascending to the clouds, and more. The cast includes talented artists from the Hanoi Cheo Theater, including Quang Truong as Bom, Trang Tho as Bom’s mother, Khac Huy as Phu Ong, Truc Mai as Gai, Meritorious Thao Quyen as Phu Ba, Quoc Phong as Thanh Xa, and others, accompanied by the ensemble of actors and ethnic music from the Hanoi Cheo Theater.
The play received resounding success, earning praise from the City’s Art Council and garnering highly positive reviews from the audience. Described as rich in cheo traditions and remarkably humorous, the play underscores the themes of friendship, labor love, and the rightful values of farmers.
In the near future, the Hanoi Cheo Theater plans to take “Magical Sticky Rice Fist” to perform at schools across the capital.
Quynh Anh