Two Lives of Harmony and Revelation are tormented by the Life of Desire

Hoa Hiep plays the role of Hai Doi in Doi Nhu Y after three failed attempts with this script. He left the audience with many worries and anxieties during the performance on the evening of July 23.

Hoa Hiep transformed into Hai Doi next to his two children Nhu and Y - Photo: HO LAM

The play "Life as You Wish" (author: Bui Quoc Bao adapted from the short story of the same name by writer Nguyen Ngoc Tu) was chosen by Trang Nha as the graduation exam for K9 stage directing major at the University of Theatre and Cinema, Ho Chi Minh City, to be performed on the evening of July 23.

Trang Nha chose this script to stage because she loved the title and saw a similarity between the literary material in Nguyen Ngoc Tu's story and herself. The play features the participation of artists Hoa Hiep (as Hai Doi); Ly Kieu Hanh (as Ma Nam); Bui Cong Danh (as Khuong); Le Trang (as Chi Tam) and many other actors.

Hoa Hiep missed out on Doi Nhu Y three times.

Having won 5 awards at the 2012 National Theatre Festival, the script "Life as You Wish" by author Bui Quoc Bao received many compliments for successfully portraying unfortunate but tolerant and resilient lives that overcame their fate in the river delta region of the West.

The central character of the play is the blind man Hai Doi. He had a beautiful and pure love for the orphan girl Suong but then missed it.

Hai Doi ignored the criticism and slander and accepted to take in Be Ba, a mentally ill girl who was pregnant due to abuse.

They boarded a boat, left their hometown, sold lottery tickets together to make a living, and built a new home with love. After Be Ba gave birth to twins, Hai Doi named them Nhu and Y in the hope of having a life as they wished.

But fate still did not let him go when the person who caused the tragedy for Bé Ba returned to claim his son back so he could have an heir...

Family scene of Hai Doi and Be Ba on the boat - Photo: HO LAM

The scene where Hoa Hiep shows his despair and inner conflict when he has to separate from his wife and children, or his tolerance, kindness, and even stubbornness when he takes all the mistakes and hardships upon himself so that Be Ba can have a brighter life, moves viewers.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online , Hoa Hiep said he was offered this role three times by other directors but "failed" because he was busy with filming.

"I don't know why this time we have enough fate," Hiep said happily. "Besides, I'm also studying stage directing, so I understand the difficulties of directors in finding actors, so I try to arrange time to accompany Trang Nha."

Revolving stage effect in director Trang Nha's production of "Life as You Wish" - Video : HO LAM

Trang Nha wishes life as desired

Trang Nha began staging Doi Nhu Y around the beginning of June. She was also the first person in the K9 class to write a graduation play.

Even though this   This is a stage play that has been staged many times with many different versions, but young director Trang Nha still decided to choose this play as her graduation thesis because it came from a very ordinary desire.

"I really like the name Life As You Wish . I know life is never as you wish, but I still hope that I and everyone can live a life as you wish in your own way," Nha confided.

Because there were many previous versions, creating her own mark was a big pressure for the young stage directing student.

Nha shared: "I have watched many versions of previous artists, they are very good and have a lot of experience. As a new student, I try to do my best with my sincerity and emotions."

The touching scene of father and son reunion in Doi Nhu Y - Photo: HO LAM

The stage built by Trang Nha is quite rustic with simple props such as: a boat, a thatched roof, a water coconut boat... In many segments, she has beautiful ways of handling the stage and lighting. For example, the stage rotates according to the rowing of Hai Doi's family to leave and go to new lands, floating along the water.

The play also has vọng cổ verses and soulful folk songs such as: White Orphan Bird, Green Betel Leaf... through the haunting sound of Hai Doi's guitar. The lullaby, the sound of the guitar, the rope connecting Hai Doi, mother and daughter Bé Ba are small but valuable details, creating depth for the story.

According to Trang Nha, the script of Doi Nhu Y is not only dramatic but also full of literary qualities.

"I chose to bring elements of the West to the stage because I am from Ben Tre so I can clearly understand the river space and local culture. Through the writing of writer Nguyen Ngoc Tu, I want the audience to understand more about my hometown," Nha said.

Staging a familiar theme for her graduation play was Trang Nha’s smart choice. But to be able to go a long way in the future as a professional stage director, she needs to boldly challenge herself with plays that are more novel and experimental.

Director Trang Nha emotionally spoke before the opening ceremony - Photo: HO LAM

Lam Lake

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hai-doi-hoa-hiep-day-dut-voi-doi-nhu-y-20250724070712999.htm