Meritorious Artist Pham Huy Thuc: Happy when spoken drama reaches Dong Nai audiences

With over 40 years devoted to the stage, Meritorious Artist Pham Huy Thuc, former Vice Rector of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema, has left his mark through numerous roles, particularly deeply portrayed antagonist roles.

For many years, Meritorious Artist Pham Huy Thuc has actively brought spoken drama to Dong Nai to entertain people from all walks of life, especially officials, armed forces personnel, and students.

Stage plays help the younger generation “touch” history

* How do you feel after many years of continuously bringing plays to audiences in Dong Nai?

Meritorious Artist Pham Huy Thuc

- The year 2025 marks the tenth time I have come here, through the connection of the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association, to perform the play Dang Thuy Tram for local audiences. Last year, I also returned to Dong Nai to stage the spoken drama White Night. I have always regarded Dong Nai as one of my familiar “artistic destinations.” Each time I perform here, I am filled with both joy and emotion, as Dong Nai audiences appreciate and feel a deep connection with political and revolutionary stage works.

*What is the most memorable experience for you during your performances in Dong Nai?

-There have been many, but perhaps the one I cherish most is when our troupe performed the play White Night, depicting President Ho Chi Minh, at Quang Truong Park in Tan Trieu ward, along with the play Dang Thuy Tram at military units, colleges, and universities. When the curtain fell, the entire audience stood up and applauded for an extended period. Some were moved to tears, they came onto the stage to shake our hands, and expressed their heartfelt gratitude. That moment profoundly touched me, as I truly felt that the stage is not only an art form but also a bridge that connects the hearts of artists with the people.

*Dong Nai is well known for its Cai Luong (reformed opera) stage and music and dance. In your opinion, what is the significance of introducing spoken drama to the province?

- Each art form possesses its unique strengths and audience. Cai Luong is tied to music and lyrics, while spoken drama offers a more direct reflection of real life. Given that Dong Nai currently lacks a school specializing in stage drama, bringing this art form to local audiences is particularly significant, especially in fostering traditional education and igniting a passion for the arts. For today's youth, engaging with history and culture through spoken drama helps nurture their love, pride, and sense of responsibility toward their homeland and country.

*In your opinion, what factors determine whether a play can truly touch the audience’s hearts, especially regarding political or revolutionary works?

-For a play to resonate with the audience, authenticity is crucial. In political and revolutionary plays, authenticity must always take precedence - authenticity in the script, in character portrayal, and in the artists’ performances. Furthermore, humanity is the essence of any work. Additionally, the support and companionship of the audience act as the driving force that inspires artists to continue creating and nurturing their passion for the stage.

Spreading the spoken drama and igniting artistic passion

*In spoken drama, you are frequently assigned villainous roles. Have you ever felt typecast because of this?

- In real life, my friends and colleagues describe me as a gentle person. Yet on stage, I often embody cunning, deceitful, or even cruel characters. I view those roles as my opportunities. When audiences watch the “villains” I portray, instead of feeling hatred, many actually develop a fondness for the actor because they appreciate the effort behind the artistic creation. The most important thing is to step onto the stage with your entire spirit, heart, and mind.

Meritorious Artist Pham Huy Thuc portrays the character Pho in the play Dang Thuy Tram, performed for audiences in Dong Nai

* In the context of stage drama facing many challenges amid the rapid growth of modern entertainment forms, what should Dong Nai do to help promote the spoken drama more widely?

- First and foremost, there must be attention and support from local authorities, relevant sectors, and particularly the Dong Nai Literature and Arts Association. They serve as a bridge that connects artists with the public. Furthermore, Dong Nai should invest in infrastructure and establish theater training programs to develop human resources. Currently, many students from Dong Nai who are passionate about drama have traveled to Ho Chi Minh City for their studies due to the province's lack of local training institutions and clear career pathways. I believe that with the right attention and investment, stage drama in Dong Nai will flourish in the future.

Through portraying antagonistic roles in the plays performed in Dong Nai, what I wish to convey to the audience is this: in life, there are always two sides - good and evil. Yet goodness and solidarity will ultimately prevail, while evil, being isolated, can never endure.

Meritorious Artist PHAM HUY THUC

*With more than 40 years devoted to the stage, what advice would you give to young people who dream of becoming professional theater actors?

- I always tell generations of my students that to become a professional actor, one must first possess a genuine passion for the profession. The stage is a demanding journey that requires hard work, persistence, and allows no room for superficiality. Young people pursuing the stage should nurture both knowledge and character, along with an unwavering willingness to learn. The Vietnamese stage still needs young talents who embody both skill and integrity, willing to commit and contribute.

*Do you have any plans or intentions to stage new plays specifically for Dong Nai audiences in the near future?

- My fellow artists and I in Ho Chi Minh City always wish to continue connecting and bringing more new plays to Dong Nai. We are currently developing several themes for historical and revolutionary dramas, as well as contemporary stories that reflect everyday life, to celebrate the country’s major holidays. This is also our way of expressing our gratitude for the love that audiences in Dong Nai, in particular, and across the nation, in general, have shown us over the years.

* Thank you!

By My Ny - Translated by Huyen Trang, Thu Ha