But, pressed for time, we paid our 60,000 Dong (about $3) at the box office and went inside. Ignoring the many offers of rickshaw rides-getting there on time didn’t seem worth the public humiliation of being a tourist paraded on a rickshaw and then paying exorbitantly for the experience-we made our way on foot.Īrriving at our destination, I was surprised to see that the Thang Long (the imperial name for Hanoi) Theatre wasn’t on the lake, but across the street from it. Puppets in a lake sounded slightly more appealing than plain old puppets, so we set off for the theater. It’s water puppetry so it must be performed in the lake. ![]() If we didn’t get lost in the Old Quarter trying to find the theater, we could still make it to the last show.Īccording to our map, the theater was right on Hoan Kiem, a small lake filled with giant turtles in the heart of Hanoi. Ranked #1 in the Hanoi entertainment section was the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre, a show that the writers of our guidebook did not advise you to leave Vietnam without seeing. I don’t know why they don’t just make more beer.) With no desire to head back to our stifling fourth-floor walk-up, we thumbed through the Lonely Planet looking for something exciting to do. But the amount of tourists that were as thrifty as they were thirsty meant that the kegs had run out almost as soon as they’d been tapped. We’d been playing rummy and drinking bia hoi, or glasses of fresh draft beer that local watering holes serve for pennies (literally, it’s about 20 cents a glass). That’s kid stuff.īut after dark in Hanoi, Vietnam’s historic capital, my travel buddy and I found ourselves looking for something to do. The Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre did not. While this art almost died out before it was revived in 1984, it is now a popular entertainment for tourists, seeking to enjoy a uniquely Vietnamese experience.On my list of must-sees for the week I spent in Vietnam last month (or, as the itinerary turned out, must-eats), temples, conical hats, and sidewalk noodle stands figured high. The puppeteers stand waist-deep in the water behind a bamboo screen, so that the audience can only see the puppets moving, but do not see the puppeteers. The puppets are made of wood, and attached to wooden rods which are used by the puppeteers to manipulate the puppets. Traditionally, performances would take place on top of flooded rice paddies. Water puppetry, called Múarốinước in Vietnamese, is a distinctly Vietnamese form of art, originating from the villages of the Red River Delta in Vietnam. While it is still comparatively more popular than Háttuồng and Hátchèo, its popularity has declined since the 1970s and 1980s, especially amongst the younger generation. It is accompanied by the Vietnamese traditional chamber music, nhạctàitử. The performance is characterized by its singing, which uses a great deal of vibrato. CảilươngĬảilương is a form of modern folk opera with both contemporary and historical themes. Today it is increasingly also performed indoors, by professional performers. The message of the performances often criticizes the existing social order. Unlike other theatrical forms suited for royal court, Hátchèo uses less props, costumes and make-up. It was traditionally performed by Vietnamese peasants in semi-amateur touring groups, who would typically perform in open courtyards in the villages. On the other hand, Hátchèo is a form of satirical musical theatre originating in northern Vietnam. Originally performed in the royal courts, it is now performed by travelling troupes to farmers and ordinary citizens, featuring many well-known characters. ![]() Hence, it is strikingly similar to Chinese opera. Háttuồng, also called hátbội, was introduced to Vietnam from China in the 13th century. ![]() There are several types of traditional theatrical performance: Háttuồng You can learn about Vietnam’s oral traditions and folk stories through its theatrical performances.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |