My Uyen plays a faded star in The Midnight Song

My Uyen steps into an unfamiliar role in The Midnight Song: Anh Hoa, a former star who cannot accept that the spotlight has moved on.

Anh Hoa once enjoyed a celebrated youth, but now struggles with the indignities of age and fading recognition. She tries to hold on to her old glory, denies that she is buying back fame with money and pays to support a young male performer even though she knows he is using her. Her loud display, open jealousy and constant rivalry with colleagues make her an important suspect when a murder suddenly takes place inside the troupe.

The play, staged as a main production at Ho Chi Minh City’s 5B Drama Theatre during the Sept. 2 holiday season, mixes detective fiction with touches of horror and humor. Its setting recalls an old traveling theatre company, where the beautiful and talented Ngoc Lan captivates audiences before disappearing without explanation. She is initially accused of abandoning the troupe for a wealthy young man, but the mystery deepens when the troupe manager brings in a detective.

Written by Huynh Ngan, The Midnight Song began as Hoang Phuc’s directing graduation production at 5B last year. My Uyen, who runs the theatre, saw potential in the piece and helped stage a more polished version for the theatre’s regular repertoire. The cast includes veteran artist Phuong Binh, Ngoc Lan, Vu Tran, Trong Hieu, Minh Dang, Ta Lam, Huynh Thien Trung, Hong Dao and others.

Anh Hoa is only a supporting character, yet her wounded pride reflects a recurring story in old theatre troupes and in the lives of performers today. The production also continues My Uyen’s effort to welcome young artists into 5B, with several graduation plays refined and added to the theatre’s program.