VietNamNet Bridge - Vu Tu Long is well-known for his role in the TV series "Gap Nhau Cuoi Nam" (Year-end Rendezvous), a comic critical review of the last year, and as cheo performer. Long was able to sneak out during his rehearsal break to talk about his career.

You were born in Bac Ninh Province, which is home to quan ho (love duet genre). Why did you choose cheo (popular opera) instead of practising the cultural heritage of your hometown?

Actually, both my parents are quan ho players, so they actually understood how hard the career is to follow. Therefore, they advised me to take another career path, and that’s why I graduated from a construction vocational school before getting involved in the arts. My love of art led me to take the exam at the Ha Noi Academy of Theatre and Cinema. The reason I chose cheo as my career was because I was attracted to cheo much more than to quan ho. No one can deny that quan ho is an intangible part of our cultural heritage that has been recognised by the world. It’s the pride of my hometown, but for me, it is just a way of singing a love song. Cheo, on the other hand, tells a story on the stage, which includes singing and dancing.

A cheo play describes customs and social activities. Through precise movements and gestures that are accompanied with music and singing, it criticises the bad habits of daily life and expresses the people’s endeavours. That’s why I prefer cheo.

Due to your roles in several comedies, especially in the weekly TV comedy show "Gap nhau cuoi tuan" (Weekend Rendezvous) that ended in 2004, you became famous. Have you ever considered leaving cheo for a career in comedy?

My contract salary earned through cheo performances allows me to make ends meet, but I supplement my income by acting in comedy shows. However, I have never considered leaving cheo.

I have been part of the General Department of Army Logistics’ cheo group for 11 years. I’ve had a strong attachment to singing and dancing for more than 16 years, and I’m committed to do it for the rest of my life.

Despite a lot of invitations from event managers and programme organisers to work on long-term contracts with them, I’m reminded that, "People who live in a glass house shouldn’t throw stones".

I’m just trying to balance my work at the department with other shows.

Can cheo and comedy integrate with and support each other ?

Cheo can be used in comedy to enrich it, which is what I usually do. I can use the melody and the gestures of cheo with rewritten lyrics to make my acting more comedic and unique. I have experimented with many programmes and it has really impressed viewers. In contrast, the humour found in comedy can never be applied to cheo.

Comedy is written from existing materials that is pulled directly from life, while cheo is like a model that has been filtered through many generations. Being an artist involved in two different kinds of drama, I always remind myself to distinguish the ways of acting when playing each role.

Luckily, I have not yet made a mistake. With comedy, I am Tu Long – comedian; with cheo, I am Tu Long – a cheo artist.

Do you think singing is an advantage compared to other artists that have more comedy experience?

It’s not really an advantage. I consider it to be one of my strengths, and I know how to develop and apply it to my performance. I am very happy to receive positive feedback from both my colleagues and audiences. However, my strengths only help when they are tactfully applied to suitable programmes; I do not want to overuse them. I have to think carefully how to improve my ability without making my performances boring or antiquated.

Do you have any intention of making your own cheo album?

I have nurtured this dream for quite a long time, but I haven’t had the opportunity to make it. I am too busy to have time for this project. I work everyday of the year without a break just like a machine. I really hope that one day I will be able to fulfil my dream.

The audiences are now really excited to know about the programme "Gap Nhau Cuoi Nam" (Year-end Rendezvous) during this Tet holiday, can you spill the beans about the event?

We have only half of a month to rehearse for this special show, so all of the artists, directors and other supporters are working very hard and seriously to bring the audience perfect moments during the end of the year. However, there will be some changes in the Tao Quan (Kitchen Gods) comedy and in the main characters of the play, but I can’t say anything for sure at the moment. Let’s just wait for the surprise!

You have experienced many different Kitchen Gods shows over the years, what do you think about this?

Well, casting different characters for the same programme is an advantage and also a disadvantage. The most difficult thing is that the brand-new Kitchen Gods lack the precedent like other fixed characters such as the Jade Emperor and his two assistant gods called Nam Tao and Bac Dau. Therefore, I have to experiment with each new one in order to hightlight his or her unique personality. It’s difficult but very appealing!

Besides the Tet programme, do you have any other projects you’re working on for this Tet holiday?

I have just finished a comedy for the Tet holiday, in which I collaborate with some artists from the Year-end Rendezvous programme. I will also be working with comedians from both Northern and Southern Viet Nam on a brand new TV comedy show, "Gap nhau dau nam" (New Year’s Day Rendezvous). Hopefully, this will serve as our small gift for the New Year to spectators nationwide.

VietNamNet/VNS