PANO – As many as 800 artists from 16 traditional theater troupes nationwide will take part in the 2016 national contest on professional popular opera (Cheo) from September 24 to October 8 in Ninh Binh province.

The festival held triennially by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to develop the Cheo theater. The event also provides an opportunity for artists to exchange experiences and promote innovations in the traditional theater.

A Cheo performance

27 plays, each of which has 90-150 minutes in length, will participate in the festival. Under the regulations, the participating plays should have been staged between from June 2013 to date.

But they should not have participated in any other professional festivals held by the Ministries of CST, Defence, Public Security and the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, and should not use foreign scripts.

The organizers will present certificates of merit and awards to outstanding plays, authors, directors, and artists selected by a jury board consisting of high-profile experts.

Via the festival, the circle of the Cheo theater will also evaluate the development of the Cheo theater over the past 3 years, and draw up directions for development of the Cheo theater in the future.

Translated by Chung Anh