Hanoi [Vietnam], May 30: Once a familiar face on Ho Chi Minh City's comedy scene during its golden age, Meritorious Artist Bao Tri has experienced many ups and downs, from traditional opera to comedy. In his twilight years, the artist remains calm in the face of the changing profession, while also reminiscing about the days of performing late into the night and the reason why he hasn't been able to collaborate with his brother, Bao Liem.
I used to feel conflicted about switching from traditional Vietnamese opera to comedy.
Comedian Bao Tri is known as a familiar face on the Ho Chi Minh City stage. He was passionate about singing from a young age and learned the craft from various theater troupes, from provincial to city-level groups. His artistic journey has seen many changes, transitioning from traditional Vietnamese opera (cai luong) to comedy. To achieve this, Bao Tri had to be flexible and constantly learn to sustain his career. Behind Bao Tri 's always cheerful, approachable, and simple demeanor lies many stories of hardship and struggle in his life and career.
Speaking to Thanh Nien newspaper, artist Bao Tri said he still maintains his performing and acting career. However, his life is no longer as hectic as before. While in the past his schedule was always packed, leaving almost no time for rest, now he has more quiet time for himself. Even so, the artist doesn't see this as something to be sad about. "The younger generation gradually replacing the older generation of artists is a natural law of art. At our age now, it's actually time to think about retirement. But if I still have the health and can still contribute something to art, I will continue," the artist expressed.
Besides film, artist Bao Tri remains dedicated to Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera). He participates in several programs of the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre as well as community performances. In addition, he appears in television programs and films when suitable. The actor from the play " Wedding in the Modern Era" admits that he is not very quick to adapt to modern technology, so he is quite meticulous in choosing projects. This caution sometimes slows down his pace of work compared to before. Recalling the most memorable period in his career, Meritorious Artist Bao Tri said it was the time he decided to switch from Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) to comedy. At that time, he was an actor in the Trung Duong Cai Luong troupe and faced a difficult choice. What troubled him most wasn't fame or income, but the feeling of having to leave behind the long-term Cai Luong roles he had been attached to. For him, switching to comedy meant getting used to short, fast-paced skits and a completely different performance style.
At that time, the 60-year-old artist couldn't help but feel anxious, unsure if he would be able to adapt to such a rapid change. Fortunately for Bao Tri, before officially changing direction, he had worked with the Kim Cuong theater troupe . The artist said that period helped him accumulate more experience in stage acting. It was this time that gave him the confidence to leave the Cai Luong (Vietnamese traditional opera) troupe and return to Ho Chi Minh City to pursue a professional comedy career.
After venturing into the world of stand-up comedy, artist Bao Tri joined the comedy group "Fat - Thin," teaming up with his co-performer Van Thanh. He said this was a period that was both stressful and memorable because the group already had a certain level of fame, forcing him to work very hard to establish himself. The male artist believes he was fortunate to have been blessed by the patron saint of the performing arts, so the transition went more smoothly than expected, allowing him to continue in the profession until today.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper