Tuồng cải lương, also called Cải lương, is a type of traditional theater in Vietnam. It combines southern Vietnamese folk songs, classical music, hát tuồng (a traditional theater style based on Chinese opera), and modern spoken plays.

History and description

Cải lương began in Southern Vietnam in the early 1900s and became popular in the 1930s during the French colonial period. It was a form of theater that was especially enjoyed by the middle class. Today, Cải lương is considered a national theatrical style. Unlike other folk traditions, it remained popular with the public until the 1970s and 1980s. A "golden age" of Cải lương videos occurred in the 1990s, but the art form is now becoming less popular.

Cải lương is similar to a play but includes a unique singing style called Vọng cổ. This term means "nostalgia for the past" and involves singing with music from traditional instruments like the đàn tranh (zither) or đàn ghi-ta (Vietnamized guitar). In a typical Cải lương performance, actors and actresses use both spoken dialogue and Vọng cổ to express emotions and tell the story.

Cải lương often highlights traditional Vietnamese values. There are two main types of Cải lương: ancient stories (tuồng cổ) and societal stories (xã hội).

The societal genre focuses on modern Vietnamese life. These stories usually mix romantic love with family or social relationships. They explore cultural and social norms, such as in plays like Đời Cô Lựu and Tô Ánh Nguyệt. These stories often end happily, though some, like Ra Giêng Anh Cưới Em, are comedic and light-hearted.

The ancient stories genre features characters dressed in old-fashioned costumes. The plots are based on legends, historical tales, or stories from the feudal era, such as Bên Cầu Dệt Lụa, Lục Vân Tiên, or Tiếng Trống Mê Linh. Many stories are inspired by Chinese legends, like Lương Sơn Bá-Chúc Anh Đài, which is based on a Chinese tale about butterfly lovers. Some ancient stories mix elements from Chinese opera, called Hồ Quảng, and are sometimes called Cải lương Hồ Quảng, which resembles a musical. These performances include traditional speech, singing, and reused melodies with different lyrics. Ancient stories are known for their detailed costumes, including colorful clothing, glittery hairpieces, and elaborate armor for warriors.