Today, most of the entertainment programs on television are game shows, especially with the participation of professional artists or rookie artists who are trying to find their way up. “Sao Noi Ngoi” (Inherited Stars) and “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co” (Road To Become A Top Singer of Vong Co) were the two rare game shows for “the audience of cai luong”, and were well designed and invested in terms of quality. A representative of the San Khau magazine had an interview with People’s Artist – PHD Bach Tuyet around the topics about the two game shows.
1. Can you please share your thoughts about the two game shows, “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co” and “Sao Noi Ngoi”?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: In the numerous entertainment shows today, “Sao Noi Ngoi”, in my opinion, is a very valuable and acclaimed TV show. It conveyed profound messages which remind cai luong actors and actresses of many generations about morality, such as, “when drinking water, remember the source”, the grace of parents and grandparents, and gratitude toward teachers. Most of the plots were well written from a literature perspective. The show was well directed and appealed to the audience of cai luong. Although we don’t have a formal and contemporary theater yet, the show did satisfy the audience‘s craving for something new and different while offering meaningful performances that cai luong has been giving for a hundred years.
For “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co”, personally I would prefer the original name “Danh Ca Vong Co”. Some people said “Danh Ca Vọng Co” sounded vain. I appreciate their opinion, but I think only if an individual would call himself or herself the top singer, then it would not be good. This is simply the name of the show. It does not mean anything except what the show is about. It makes it easy for everyone to understand. Moreover, artists of the 9x and 10x do have gifted voices, even “exceptional” voices that fans of cai luong love. Nothing is different from when it was before.
The important thing is that the producers and the crew sit together to create opportunities for the young artists. If they can write perfect plots that bring in the breeze of today’s society, write good songs, then I think the two words “top singer” are quite suitable for the young artists. Although it is just a title of the show, if we put it right, it will become an invaluable remark for many artworks and to many generations. For example, when English people from York migrated to America, they added the word “New” to the new land – New York – New World! The value of the English and the world was modernized and raised to a higher level. What do we gain when we are not willing to open to new things? Let’s open our mind, while supporting and nurturing our young and talented artists of cai luong who are in control of the stage!
2. As a judge in “Sao Noi Ngoi” can you please share your thoughts about the final result that the show has brought for the contestants as well as to the audience?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: Just look at how the audience has followed the show, and the way the earnest people of the show worked. They knew what needed to be done, what they wanted about the show and devoted for. We, the artists of cai luong, always appreciate the love and silent but enduring support from the audience. They are “kind human beings”, who are affectionate for a dignified traditional art and culture of the country. If there were no such fans, the artists of my generation would not have enough energy and strength to achieve such successes, that were full of the difficulties and challenges of life. We would not be able to devote our energy and love to our singing and acting career and to the country.
Sitting in the judge panel for “Sao Noi Ngoi”, I was so proud of cai luong when I heard many encouraging comments such as, “We are happy to see a true, beautiful and appealing cai luong coming back after many years of waiting since Duong Van Nga, To Anh Nguyet, Doi Co Luu, Tieng Trong Me Linh, Tim Lai Cuoc Doi… And many more good plays that we have watched …” Through this article, please allow us to fold our hands, bow and thank you for your continuous support and following from many generations of audiences.
3. As an advisor of “Duong Den Danh Ca Vọng Co”, how did you accomplish this position?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: During the rehearsals, I suggested what needed to be improved in terms of the content, stage setting and acting so that the presentation would be more solid, interesting and meaningful to the audience, with fewer unnecessary details. The coaches and show organizers made their selection of the plots.
4. The “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co” show is near the last rounds. Can you please give some feedback about how the remaining contestants have improved compared to the beginning of the show?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: I would say from the beginning, the show has chosen outstanding contestants, who have beautiful voices for cai luong. According to the guideline of the show, each round required contestants to advance their skills. On the other hand, we can’t avoid letting some contestants go. It is always a tough decision for the coaches to pick whom to continue to the next round and whom to say goodbye, because every contestant deserves to be trained. To me, all four finalists (actor Le Van Gan, actress Ngoc Quyen, actress Thu Van, and especially the armature Minh Chi) were qualified and suitable for the title Danh Ca Vong Co Cai Luong.
However, we all know the phrase, “Study hard, but fate will decide one’s success”. Cai luong is not easy at all. The lucky artist will get a good plot, good role and have a co-actor/actress who can support them. They even have a “sizing for well-fitting shoes” role, and vice versa. In this particular show, I was disappointed for Bui Trung Dang, who has a golden voice, has many fans and received many awards. Perhaps, “the weather or providence” was not on his side this time. But dear Dang, whether advancing to the next round or not, the best singer title, that the audience has given and will give to you and to your generation, will be yours as long as you keep working hard for your singing career and respect the cai luong ancestors.
My advice to the contestants is that, “I believe you will always sing with your passion for cai luong, enrich yourselves, and produce pure lotuses for life! There is no success or failure here, because it is simply a “gameshow”.
5. Almost all of the entertainments today are game shows. “Sao Noi Ngoi” and “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co” shows are specialized more for cai luong audience. What do you think about the image of cai luong artists in this new trend of entertainments?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: Cai luong appears in game shows with a wide range of aspects such as patriotism, preservation of traditional cultures, fighting against bad practices, praising the good, raising good citizens, as well as reflecting positive images of today’s society. Plus, the stage was set up with a LED screen, with modern technologies of sound, light and decoration. All of these features benefit both the artists and the audience. Our contestants worked hard. They were serious in their part, and knew how to perform their best so that they would be better after each round and gain trust from the audience.
6. Cai luong is one of the country’s traditional arts and cultures. When some contestants bring cai luong into other game shows, they make a number of the audience unpleased. The reason is the judges in most of the game shows are not cai luong artists. What do you think about this?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: There is a saying that art has to keep “evolving”. New things may not convince the audience yet, but they have to be new first. If not, they would be “forgotten” as an antique, like a slow walking elderly who keeps blocking a younger person from walking forward. I really appreciate and admire People’s Artist and playwright Vien Chau when he emerged modern songs into vong co in the early days, so that we now exploit the evolved vong co, called Tan Co Giao Duyen. He was the great inheritor of: “Reforming performance for civilization, Passing on history and stories via modern opera.”
Back to your question, like our ancestors, we all have different opinions despite generations and times. It is a social norm. The English cosmologist and physicist Stephen Hawking said “Differences enrich our world and make it more meaningful.” It is perfectly fine to be different. But we also need to observe and listen, and don’t be stubborn in thinking that only we are right, then it would be very funny because it is not natural! The statement about only the artists in the field can be good judges is just half right when you need someone for technical comments. An artwork is like a boat, and the audience is like a river. A river can carry, lift or flip the boat, especially when the boat is worn out.
A play sitting in a playwright’s drawer, a performance on the stage still belongs to an individual. But once it is being read, viewed, criticized, praised, loved or hated, it is everyone’s right. We all need to have a non-judgemental attitude and a peaceful mind to listen. If the comment is right, then fix it and be thankful. If not, then let think about it. It is the utmost virtue of art and culture in the view of all mankind. Comedian Hoai Linh was the guest of the judge panel in the final round in the “Duong Den Danh Ca Vong Co”. He said “I don’t know much about cai luong. Sitting here I am representing the requests, thoughts and wishes from the audience watching the show.” I think he is right. He represented the voice of the audience.
I was very proud for sitting next to the well-known singer Thai Chau in the “Sao Noi Ngoi”, because I learned a lot from his point of views, his way of talking and expressing his admiration and enjoyment about cai luong with good knowledge of cai luong. We need artists with good sing and acting, but we also need accurate critics and honest reasons to help them improve their skills. Therefore, we should not think “Artists from other areas can not be a judge for cai luong”, but instead ask ourselves “What did the artists from other areas say to help us raise the bar of the actual value of cai luong, and sharpen our skills.” Many comments point out that most game shows focus heavily on entertainment, but they lack the appreciation of art. Both producers and contestants have so many tricks in game shows. The entertainment now has become the art of entertainment. It is arriving swiftly into Vietnam; the country with a deep and strong foundation in traditional arts and cultures. This invasion has mixed up art and entertainment, making it difficult for the young artists to determine which direction to build their image and style. Is it time we separate the entertainment and stage performances?
7. So, in your opinion, is it a good idea to separate them?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: A healthy person is not afraid of catching a chill. The world was formed and evolved along the formation and dissolution of each cell. Art was originated by people who were passionate about it and by its audiences. There are smart and slow people, but the universe is very smart. Of course, if we abide by the rules, we will last longer and vice versa. Arts and cultures represent specific characteristics of each country. If we maintain it well, then there’s nothing we have to worry about. We tend to close our doors when we are afraid, but we also forget that closing doors will make us suffocated.
8. What do you think about the people who said contestants come to gameshow because they want to be famous fast while their skills are not matched for their position?
People’s Artist Bach Tuyet: Young people like new things and they easily forget that things are not necessary to them. Let’s encourage, support and help them, but also don’t forget to praise them when they do well, because they are the future of the country and the world.
My sincere thanks, People’s Artist – PHD Bach Tuyet!
Interviewed by Vuong Thoai Hong – San Khau magazine number 1317