The 60-minute program, titled The Charm of Hanoi Cheo, made its debut at Dai Nam Theatre on Friday evening. Produced by the Hanoi Cheo Theatre, the show features a series of classic cheo excerpts, including Thi Mau Goes to the Pagoda, Suy Van Pretends to Be Mad, Luu Binh – Duong Le, and The Wizard Afraid of Ghosts.
Rather than being staged as separate performances, the excerpts are woven into a continuous storyline with enhanced audience interaction, making the traditional art form more accessible, particularly to young audiences and international visitors.
Organizers hope the production will highlight Hanoi’s cultural identity, history, and people through the art of cheo (popular opera), while establishing a regular performance that becomes a must-see cultural attraction for both domestic and foreign tourists.
The launch marks the first in a series of high-quality productions planned by the city. Upcoming performances include Hanoi Stories by the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre on July 30, the cai luong (reformed opera) play Hanoi Girl by the Hanoi Cai Luong Theatre on August 10, and new productions by the Hanoi Drama Theatre and Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in September.
