In recent years, the Hanoi Cheo Theater has not only developed new repertoires and staged Cheo performances for public audiences but also actively nurtured the Cheo singing and performance movement within the community. A standout initiative has been integrating Cheo into schools through performances, training workshops, and teaching programs. The “School Theater” project, implemented over several years, has proven effective in passing down and educating Hanoi’s younger generations about this distinctive folk art. Cheo has been creatively and flexibly incorporated into various subjects and educational activities in many Hanoi schools, aligning with their curricula. Some schools have even established and maintained Cheo clubs for students. Notably, the recent practice of adapting literary works for the stage, making them more accessible to students through Cheo, has yielded remarkable results. This approach has fostered a love for literature, a deeper understanding of history, and a stronger connection to national pride and heritage among students.
The Hanoi Cheo Theater has successfully brought familiar images of Vietnamese folklore to life through performances of plays like “The Kite of Vu Dai Village,” “The Magical Sticky Rice,” and “The Hundred-Knot Bamboo.” Among these, “The Magical Sticky Rice” won the Gold Medal at the First National Theater Arts Festival for Children and Youth in 2024. To captivate audiences and elevate the lyrical essence of Cheo, the theater has continuously innovated, blending singing, dancing, music, and drama seamlessly. They have also integrated contemporary societal themes into Cheo performances, reenacted historical events, and brought legendary figures and folk tales to the stage.
Additionally, the Hanoi Cheo Theater has produced a variety of captivating musical and dance programs. These not only fulfill the political and cultural missions of the capital and the nation but also generate income for its artists, ensuring their commitment and dedication to preserving Cheo.
Since the implementation of Program 06-CTrTU by the Hanoi Party Committee, the theater’s staff and artists have become increasingly aware of the importance of preserving and promoting the nation’s traditional Cheo art. Annually, the Hanoi Cheo Theater focuses on improving the quality of its performers through training and development while fostering a healthy cultural environment within the institution.
The theater emphasizes professional expertise, producing two to three new plays annually and reviving classic performances, such as “Luu Binh – Duong Le.” In 2024, the theater staged the new play “The Ballad Singer” to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital and participated in the Capital Theater Festival. Other successful productions in 2024 included “The Magical Sticky Rice” and “The Hundred-Knot Bamboo.”
Beyond serving political events in the capital, the Hanoi Cheo Theater has toured various provinces and cities across the country, performed at Hoan Kiem Lake’s weekend pedestrian zone, and staged numerous compelling artistic programs to meet the growing demand for high-quality entertainment. These efforts have attracted an increasingly diverse audience, including younger generations.
In the latter half of 2024, the Hanoi Cheo Theater plans to produce two new plays and stage numerous performances at notable venues, including the Vietnamese Cultural Space in France, the Cultural Space in Minsk (Belarus), the Hanoi International Film Festival VII, and events commemorating the founding of the Vietnam People’s Army. The theater will also present outstanding Cheo works at the 2024 Capital Theater Festival and produce programs to welcome the New Year 2025.
Thanh Quy