Nhà hát Đó is scheduled to premiere a new show titled Chum Show at 10:00 AM on August 30, exploring the distinctive local cultural identity of the people and land of Khánh Hòa.
A representative of the organizers stated that the performance marks the next milestone in the creative journey of Nhà hát Đó’s artistic team, a contemporary art space located within the Libera Nha Trang urban complex developed by KDI Holdings. Following the success of the Rối Mơ show, this new production further reinforces Nhà hát Đó’s position as a unique cultural destination in Nha Trang and across Vietnam.
The show draws inspiration from the Chum, a familiar object in daily life and traditional beliefs, symbolizing the cycle of life. The Chum’s shape reflects the maternal principle, tied to the cycle of “birth – death – rebirth.” Interestingly, in the Cham language and several indigenous Central Highlands languages, “Chum” also means “kiss,” symbolizing healing, love, and human connection.
Chum Show invites audiences on a journey to explore Khánh Hòa’s local culture through a contemporary artistic lens. The performance intertwines three cultural streams: the mystical depth of Cham culture, the strong and free spirit of the Central Highlands’ ethnic groups, and the grace and subtlety of the Kinh community. Beyond being an artistic performance, the show aims to foster empathy and connection—between past and present, between people, and between humans and the land.
For the first time in the South Central Coast region, contemporary circus elements and aerial acrobatics are integrated into the stage, accompanied by live local music performed by traditional artisans. These elements create a multi-layered sensory experience while vividly conveying local cultural identity. The artisans act as cultural transmitters, participating directly in the creative process alongside the performers, co-creating the show with a spirit of collaboration rather than mere exhibition.
The performance emerges from an independent artistic ecosystem, breaking away from conventional models. The creative team including Nguyễn Ánh Minh, Phạm Thành Dương, Trương Thu Hương, Đinh Quốc Biển, Ja Yang, and artistic director Ngô Thanh Phương has established a working space that balances the discipline of stage art with the freedom of individual creativity.
Performers are encouraged to develop ideas from their own life experiences, engaging in continuous dialogue and reflection. According to artistic director Ngô Thanh Phương, Chum Show does not seek perfection but emphasizes authenticity and emotional depth, where the “kiss” becomes a symbolic artistic act simple yet powerful.
“Chum Show is a cultural experiment nurtured by the spirit of resonance and rebirth. At Nhà hát Đó, each work invites audiences into a limitless artistic journey, where cultural identity is continued not by replication but through creation, allowing it to live on in a new context,” said Ngô Thanh Phương.
