Cheo
or Vietnamese Popular Theatre
Cheo is a form of stage performance that originated in the
northern countryside. The word cheo means “lyrics of
folk ballads, proverbs”.
Traditionally, cheo was composed orally by
anonymous authors. Today's playwrights compose cheo
along traditional lines. The characters in the plays
sing time-tested popular melodies with words suited to
modern circumstances. Human rights and the battle of
good against evil are common themes. The joyfulness and
optimism of cheo is expressed through
humour and wit.
In cheo performances, there is always an
exchange between the audience and the performers. The
performers, dao (actress), kep
(actor), lao (old man), mu
(female character) and he (buffoon).
At present cheo is an integral part of Vietnamese
theatre and is well liked by people in both the country
and in towns, and by foreign spectators as well.
The buffoon in Cheo
The buffoon is a familiar character in cheo, in
which there is often a blend of the tragic and the
comic. He speaks the language of the people and shoots
shafts of satire at evil-doers, such as ignorant
witchdoctors, greedy landlords, or arrogant mandarins.
He may wear a short coat, the garment of the commoner or
a long robe, an article of clothing favoured by members
of the upper classes in the old society. A couple of
buffoons may appear on stage, including the master in a
flowing gown and his servant in a short coat and
carrying a stick, each speaking the language and
behaving the ways of his class. The buffoon may make his
entry right at the beginning of a play, carrying a torch
or a megaphone and provoking wild laughter from the
audience.
Cheo is now undergoing a strong revival. It is
particularly relished by foreigners by overseas
Vietnamese visiting the country.
|
