At the launch of his memoir, "Golden Cradle, Stormy Winds", on 28/6 in Ho Chi Minh City, Huu Chau referred to Thanh Loc as "one of the most important people" in his life. "He is someone I can never forget, the person who gave me wings to become who I am today," Huu Chau said, addressing his message to his senior colleague who couldn't attend the event due to commitments at the Thien Dang theater.

In his book, Huu Chau recounts numerous memories with Thanh Loc spanning over 30 years, starting with the play "Thunderstorm" in the late 1980s. They gradually became one of the most beloved duos in southern theater, leaving their mark on numerous productions such as "Tam Cam", "Cau Dong", "Da Co Hoai Lang", "Bi Mat Vuon Le Chi", and "Ngan Nam Tinh Su".

In the early 2000s, their participation in the "Once Upon a Time" series at the Idecaf theater earned them the adoration of young audiences for their portrayals of villains like witches, demons, and the evil stepmother and Cam. "We maintained a specific approach to playing 'villainous roles,' ensuring we didn't frighten young children. We avoided exaggeration or intimidation, simply aiming to help them recognize and avoid evil," Huu Chau explained.

Huu Chau considers his senior colleague a shining example of dedication to the craft. On several occasions, Thanh Loc suffered accidents due to his passion for acting, incidents unknown to the audience. Once, during a performance of "Tam Cam", Thanh Loc stepped on a 4-inch nail that pierced halfway into his foot. He chose to continue performing, as removing the nail would have caused bleeding across the stage in front of the children.

Another time, during "The Jungle Book", he fell while swinging on a rope, requiring three months of treatment for a spinal injury. Despite these setbacks, Thanh Loc, Huu Chau, and the other artists of "Once Upon a Time" continued to "dance and leap as if age had never whispered its reminders."

Huu Chau shared that an acquaintance suggested he write a book 9 years ago, after attending the launch of artist Kim Cuong's memoir. At the time, he hesitated, feeling his life "wasn't substantial enough for a book." In 2022, he decided to embark on the project as a tribute to his predecessors, including his grandmother Nam Tho, who led the Thanh Minh Thanh Nga family, and his aunt, artist Thanh Nga, whom he affectionately called "Ma Ba".

It took Huu Chau over a year to recollect and organize his stories. He recounted them to the writer Thanh Thuy (the ghostwriter) based on emotional flow rather than chronological order. He calmly discussed the various trials in his life, believing that everything passes, and "at the end of pain lies laughter".

Huu Chau also highlighted memorable roles, including his lead role in the film "Lo To" (directed by Huynh Tuan Anh), which revolves around the lives of transgender individuals. After the film's release, while strolling through Ben Thanh Market (District 1), he was addressed as "Di Lieu" – his character's name – by a group of lottery ticket sellers. One of them expressed that Huu Chau's performance and the film's impact fostered empathy and reduced stigma towards their community.

As a veteran artist, Huu Chau has mentored numerous students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theater and Cinema and various theaters. At the event, many young actors gathered around him, sharing memories of his teachings. Minh Du, who studied under him around 2018-2019, recalled Huu Chau's strictness, readily punishing students who didn't follow instructions. Once, while rehearsing the play "Long River", Minh Du was tasked with buying a mat as a prop. He was sent out of class for purchasing the wrong size.

Le Loc recounted her audition for the University of Theater and Cinema, where Huu Chau was one of the judges. Overwhelmed by pressure, she performed poorly and anticipated failure. Upon acceptance, she was touched to learn that Huu Chau had given her a second chance, recognizing her passion. Huu Dang (The Gioi Tre theater) shared that the artist not only imparted theatrical lessons but also provided ethical guidance. "When I face a difficult decision, I often think of him and ask myself: 'If he knew, would he be disappointed?'", he said.

Huu Chau signs books for readers on the morning of 28/6. Photo: Mai Nhat

Huu Chau, 59, is one of the golden generation of Ho Chi Minh City theater artists from the 1990s. He has performed at the Idecaf theater since the late 1990s, when the founder, Huynh Anh Tuan, first established it in a rented space at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France.

He has acted in numerous productions, from children's plays (the "Once Upon a Time" series) to adult plays ("Tam Cam", "Cau Dong", "Da Co Hoai Lang"), historical dramas ("Bi Mat Vuon Le Chi", "Ngan Nam Tinh Su"). Since 2023, he has been involved with Thien Dang, a new theater in the city. His film credits include "Lo To" (2017), "Cua Lai Vo Bau" (2019), "Cong Tu Bac Lieu" (2024), "Lat Mat 8" (2025), and various television series.

Mai Nhat