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A rare behind-the-scenes photo revealed by Huu Chau in his book. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, they were invited to perform at the 5B Vo Van Tan theater (then the Experimental Theater Club). This early stage helped them develop their talents, and along with Hong Van and Hong Dao, they became part of the "golden generation" of southern Vietnamese theater. |
Thanh Loc (left) and Huu Chau in the 1980s when they were just starting their careers. Both attended the School of Dramatic Arts 2 (now the University of Theater and Cinema in Ho Chi Minh City). Thanh Loc was in the 3rd class, three classes ahead of Huu Chau.
In early July, Huu Chau released his memoir "Golden Cradle, Stormy Winds," paying tribute to the most important actors in his career. "Mr. Loc is someone I can never forget, the person who gave me wings to become who I am today," the artist said.
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Front row, from right to left: Thanh Loc as Chu Xung and Huu Chau as Lu Gui backstage during a performance of "Thunderstorm" (directed by Hoa Ha), a production that took 5B theater by storm in the early 1990s. Although only in their early twenties, they masterfully portrayed their characters, turning "Thunderstorm" into a classic of Saigon theater. |
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"Night Drumbeats of Nostalgia" is another hallmark of their dramatic work. In 2014, Idecaf revived the play to mark its 20th anniversary. Thanh Loc as Mr. Tu and Huu Chau as Mr. Nam moved audiences to tears and laughter in the scene where the two old men, separated from their homeland by half the world, meet in America. Thanh Loc's breath control while singing "Tu la tu phu tuong" and Huu Chau's embrace of his fellow actor at the end of the play brought tears to the eyes of audiences for hundreds of performances. |
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The pair continued to attract attention when they revived the play "The Shaman" in 2020, with all performances selling out months in advance. The play, set in the home of Mr. Phan (Huu Chau), a family in south-central Vietnam in the early 20th century, criticizes superstition. Thanh Loc plays a religious leader whom Mr. Phan brings home and reveres as a saint, despite his family's objections. |
One of the plays that marked a milestone in their careers was "Tam Cam," the first in the "Once Upon a Time" series. According to Mr. Huynh Anh Tuan, director of Idecaf, when it premiered in 6/2000, the play created an unprecedented sensation, selling tens of thousands of tickets.
Thanh Loc (as Cam) and Huu Chau (as the stepmother) drew audiences to the production with their humorous and versatile portrayal of the villains. Later, Idecaf produced another version of "Tam Cam" for adult audiences, with the two artists again playing the lead roles.
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In 2023, Thanh Loc and Huu Chau left Idecaf for the new Thien Dang theater, continuing their partnership through various roles. During one performance of "The 13 Masters," Thanh Loc nearly slipped and fell. Huu Chau moved many audience members when he expressed concern for his fellow actor, saying a line not in the script: "There are only two old men left to rely on each other." |
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Beyond the stage, the two have also collaborated on screen. In the 2024 film "The Playboy of Bac Lieu," Thanh Loc and Huu Chau play two old southern tycoons who are business rivals. Director Ly Minh Thang said the veteran artists also helped the younger actors with their dialogue, coaching them on how to speak with an authentic southern accent from the 1920s and 1930s. |
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The two actors in the makeup room for "The Shaman." According to writer Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, a close colleague of both, Huu Chau is quiet backstage, in contrast to Thanh Loc's playful nature, and is often teased by his senior colleague as "Grandma."
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Thanh Loc and Huu Chau (standing behind) in the play "Duyen The" at Thien Dang theater. Writer Minh Ngoc says that every time they perform together, the two artists are like "two magnets," drawing all the audience's attention to them. She considers them a rare pair of male actors who work together seamlessly in scenes that require comedic timing.
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Mai Nhat
Photos: Provided by the artists
