The show marks another milestone in the creative journey of the artists at Do Theatre, a contemporary art space located in the Libera Nha Trang urban area developed by KDI Corporation, a representative said. Following the success of the show Roi Mo (Dream Puppet), this production further establishes Do Theatre as a distinctive cultural destination in Nha Trang and Vietnam.
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Chum Show is scheduled to premiere at 10 a.m. on 30/8. Photo: Do Theatre |
Chum Show is scheduled to premiere at 10 a.m. on 30/8. Photo: Do Theatre
The performance draws inspiration from the image of the chum, a familiar object in daily life and spiritual beliefs, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life. The chum embodies the feminine principle, associated with the cycle of "birth-death-rebirth." Notably, in the Cham language and some indigenous languages of the Central Highlands, "chum" also means "kiss," a gentle symbol of healing, love, and human connection.
Chum Show offers a journey of discovery into the indigenous culture of Khanh Hoa through a contemporary artistic lens. The show connects three distinct cultural streams: the profound mystique of Cham culture, the powerful and free-spirited nature of the Central Highlands' ethnic groups, and the elegant, refined traditions of the Kinh community. More than just an artistic performance, the work aims to foster empathy and connection between the past and present, person to person, and people and the land.
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Chum Show combines various performance forms. Photo: Do Theatre |
Chum Show combines various performance forms. Photo: Do Theatre
For the first time in the South Central Coast region, elements like contemporary circus and aerial acrobatics are incorporated into the stage, combined with indigenous music performed live by artisans, according to a representative. These elements contribute to a multi-layered visual and auditory experience, vividly and authentically conveying local cultural identity. The artisans play a role in cultural transmission, directly participating in the creative process and collaborating with the artists rather than simply performing.
The show is a product of an independent art ecosystem, breaking free from traditional models. The creative team includes Nguyen Anh Minh, Pham Thanh Duong, Truong Thu Huong, Dinh Quoc Bien, Ja Yang, and director Ngo Thanh Phuong, who together established a collaborative workspace balancing the discipline of theatrical art with individual creative freedom.
The artists are encouraged to develop ideas from their own life experiences through a process of continuous listening and dialogue. According to director Ngo Thanh Phuong, Chum Show doesn't strive for perfection but emphasizes authenticity and emotional depth, where the "kiss" becomes a symbolic, simple yet powerful artistic act.
"Chum Show is a cultural experiment nurtured by a spirit of resonance and rebirth. For Do Theatre, each work is an invitation for the audience to embark on an unlimited artistic journey where identity is continued not through replication but through creation to live on in a new context," Phuong said.
Hoang Dan
