Truong Hung Minh, who developed a reputation as a top comic actor recently won the gold medal at the National Professional Theatre Festival. He talks with VNS about changes in his career.
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This is the first time you’ve directed a serious 3-hour play. How did it come about?
People know me as an actor although I studied to be a director. When director Hong Van of the Phu Nhuan Drama Stage (HCM City) entrusted me with the work, I turned it down because I wasn’t confident.
Van encouraged me, “It’s the time for you to change your mind. Don’t focus on comedy for too long a time. Just try a serious play.” She also took the main role in the play and helped me capture the characters, the northern people, which I don’t understand much because I was born in the south.
Reading the story, I cried because the mother in the play makes me think of my mother. She is a typical mother in the south, kind-hearted and plain. She spent the whole life for her children’s happiness. When I directed the play, I brought love to it.
How did you feel on debut night?
I walked around the audience to conduct a poll about the play. I’ve worked on comedy for ages, so I wondered what the audience thought about it. I sat in different chairs in the theatre and listened to their remarks. I was happy when I heard it being praised. Someone even cried.
Acting, directing and teaching, what’s the most importance for you?
All of them. I’m greedy. Actually, the three support each other. In acting, I began selecting serious roles, not only comedies like I did before. At the age of 45, I should be more mature.
I teach acting at Lasta and A Chau companies. My students are young and enthusiastic. I learn from them creativity and vitally.
The gold medal encourages me, and brings confidence to my work. I’m preparing another script at the Phu Nhuan Drama Stage.
With a salary from three works, my life is good. I couldn’t wish for more.
You seem to have changed?
I was hot-tempered and often behaved tactlessly before. I’ve been through many experiences that have changed me, now I’m more level-headed and patient.
Now, I don’t waste the time in party and playing. After work, I come home immediately.
Would you share some of your difficulties?
I’ve faced five events in my life that have affected me. The first was in 1990 when I was poor. I lost my motorbike, my largest fortune that time. When I was 33, my father passed away when I was performing in the central region. My mother died when I was 37. Then I set up a theatre group on Tran Cao Van Street (HCM City) but it failed. When I was married in the US, the relationship broke down, and I stayed abroad for a year. When I came back, I couldn’t work for six months. For an artist, that’s the most serious penalty. Watching my colleagues performing on TV, sometimes I cried.
Despite the obstacles, I have never thought of giving up acting.
Do you intend to develop your own theatre group?
No, I don’t. That failure still haunts me. What I have now is enough. I’m already working as vice director for Van’s stage. I have responsibility to my work.
I think I’m so lucky that I have a friend such as Van. She gave me a hand when I was the most difficulties. Now, her work is my work.
VietNamNet/VNS
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