The performance is scheduled for 5/2 at the Tran Huu Trang Theater in TP HCM, as part of a seminar titled "The Prodigious Artist Kim Cuong and Southern Vietnamese Spoken Drama". Director Thanh Hiep, who is staging the event, stated that organizers initially did not propose she perform due to her health issues. However, she actively expressed a desire to return to the stage to reflect on her career journey.

Artist Kim Cuong in her youth, performing in "La sau rieng". Photo: Provided by character

Kim Cuong selected the play's climactic scene, where Sang, Dieu’s son, recognizes his mother's sacrifice. Actor Mai Huynh portrays Mr. Hoang, Dieu’s youthful lover. Artist Huu Chau reprises his role as Uncle Nam, a character he first played over 40 years ago when he joined the Kim Cuong theater troupe. The event is co-organized by the Department of Culture and Sports of TP HCM and the Theater Association.

Kim Cuong wrote "La sau rieng" in 1963, using the pseudonym Hoang Dung because she lacked confidence in her playwriting abilities. Set in the early 20th century, the play tells the story of Dieu, a poor mother who earns a living by catching crabs and snails to raise her son, Sang. As an adult, Sang becomes a doctor and falls in love with a wealthy girl. Fearing his girlfriend's family would reject him due to their differing social statuses, Sang lies, claiming he is the son of a high-ranking official whose parents have passed away. To accommodate her son, Dieu agrees to pretend she was Sang's wet nurse from birth until adulthood.

Excerpt from "La sau rieng" performed by Kim Cuong with her mother, the late artist Bay Nam. Video: TP HCM Television Station

Kim Cuong stated that after more than 50 years of public performances, the work remains the most popular play of her namesake theater troupe. During the 1970s and 1980s, she and her troupe frequently toured provinces, performing for tens of thousands of audience members who were deeply moved by the characters' suffering. On one occasion, she performed the scene where Dieu confides in her son: "When you were little, I only gave you a package of cakes or candies, and you followed me all day. Now, I give you my entire life, so why don't you accept it, Sang?". In the audience, many viewers were emotional, captivated by the artists' performances.

Later, many organizations requested the rights to create new productions, but Kim Cuong consistently refused. She stated, "I told them I have nearly 100 scripts; they can take any play they want, but please don't touch 'La sau rieng'. Someone might perform my role as Dieu better, but my mother's role as Mrs. Tu would be difficult for anyone to portray."

Artist Kim Cuong is known as the "prodigious artist" of Vietnamese theater. The Vietnam Book of Records honored her as: "The artist who wrote the most plays in Vietnam". She gained fame through works such as "La sau rieng", "Duoi hai mau ao", and "Tra hoa nu". Beyond her acting achievements, Kim Cuong is also renowned for her philanthropic work. For many years, she organized the "Nghe si tri am" (Grateful Artists) event to raise funds for impoverished actors, musicians, and playwrights.

In 2025, she was honored as one of 60 individuals who contributed to TP HCM's development over the past 50 years. In the cultural sector, she was the only female artist recognized, alongside musicians Xuan Hong and Trinh Cong Son.

Mai Nhat