With the evolution of time, distinctive performances have increasingly become an effective way to convey cultural values. In Vietnam, one notable example is the AO Show, a national-level performance that is renowned worldwide as the Vietnamese version of the Cirque du Soleil. The AO Show is regularly staged at the Saigon Opera House, a magnificent Romanesque building with over a century of history, grand and solemn in its presence. If you visit Ho Chi Minh City, make sure not to miss this Vietnamese story performed in such a historically rich venue.
1. Origin of the AO Show Name
The AO Show’s performances are centered around the evolution of Vietnam from ancient times to the present. The name “AO Show” is derived from the Vietnamese words “Làng” (village) and “Phố” (city), specifically using the soft sounds “À” and “Ố” from these terms.
2. Depiction of Vietnamese Folk Customs in the Plot
The performance is divided into two parts. The first half portrays rural village life, featuring scenes of bountiful fishing harvests and singing while harvesting lotus flowers. The second half illustrates Vietnam’s transition into the industrial era, showcasing the community’s efforts to build rural areas, the mutual care within cramped living spaces, and the daily hustle of crowded buses encountering reckless motorbike riders—scenes that are common in contemporary Vietnam.
3. Bamboo Props and Scenes
The AO Show utilizes bamboo to symbolize the resilience and vitality of the Vietnamese people.
All props and scenes in the performance are crafted from bamboo, with bamboo baskets and poles prominently featured on stage.
Notably, the show does not include solo dance segments; instead, the entire hour-long performance is executed by a group of over twenty performers, which symbolizes the unity and mutual support found in a bamboo grove, reflecting a sense of shared community.
4. Humorous and Entertaining Performance Style
Vietnamese people are known for their enjoyment of life, and their humorous and lively attitude is truly admirable. The AO Show captures this national characteristic by incorporating many amusing scenes into the performance. The show even includes interactions with the audience, such as a mimicry of street vendors selling rice paper.
While the audience is amazed by the acrobatics and stunts, these humorous segments create a sense of closeness to the portrayal of everyday life in Vietnam on stage.
5. Skilled Performers
The hour-long performance is delivered by over twenty actors, each selected from across Vietnam and rigorously trained to grace this national stage and showcase authentic Vietnamese culture to the world.
These performers excel in a wide range of skills, including classic juggling, balance acrobatics, contortion, and human ring formations. Mastering each of these disciplines requires an incredible amount of time and dedication.
6. Live Musical Accompaniment
A crucial element of the performance is the live accompaniment provided by experienced musicians who play various instruments in the dark. Their seamless coordination with the actors enhances the overall experience.
Aside from a few background sound effects, the entire hour-long show features music performed by five musicians in a continuous flow. The performance utilizes a total of 19 different instruments, including guitar, flute, guzheng, and traditional Vietnamese instruments such as the đàn bầu, Miao reed pipes, and Dai bamboo pipes, creating a rich and diverse musical experience.
