Cải lương
Tuồng cải lương (, Hán-Nôm: 從改良) often referred to as Cải lương (Chữ Hán: 改良), roughly "reformed theater") is a form of modern folk opera in Vietnam. It blends southern Vietnamese folk songs, classical music, "hát tuồng" (a classical theatre form based on Chinese opera), and modern spoken drama. History and description. Cải lương originated in Southern Vietnam in the early 20th century and blossomed in the 1930s as a theatre of the middle class during the country's French colonial period. Cải lương is now promoted as a national theatrical form. Unlike the other folk forms, it  continued to prove popular with the masses as late as the 1970s and the 1980s, although it is now in decline. Cải lương can be compared to a sort of play with the added aspect of Vọng cổ. This term literally means "nostalgia for the past", it is a special type of singing with the background music often being the "đàn tranh" zither or the "đàn ghi-ta" (Vietnamized guitar). In a typical "cải lương" play, the actresses and actors would use a combination of regular spoken dialogue and "vọng cổ" to express their thoughts and emotions. Cải lương normally  highlights/praises Vietnamese moral values. There are mainly two types of "cải lương": "cải lương tuồng cổ" (ancient) and "cải lương xã hội" (modern). "Cải lương xã hội" ("society reformed theater" 改良社會) consists of stories about modern Vietnamese society. The plots deal with a romantic love story blended with family or social relationships. The stories also explore cultural norms, social norms, and other aspects of Vietnamese society, e.g. "Đời Cô Lựu", "Tô Ánh Nguyệt". This type can be somehow described as tragedy, but with a happy ending. However, a few "cải lương xã hội" such as "Ra Giêng Anh Cưới  Em" are comedic and light. In "Cải lương tuồng cổ", The actor/actress dresses in an old fashioned costume. The plot is based on a tale, legend or historical story of the feudal system, where kings and warriors still existed. For example, "Bên Cầu Dệt Lụa", "Lục Vân Tiên", "Tiếng Trống Mê Linh" etc. Many plots come from Chinese historic or ancient legends. "Lương Sơn Bá-Chúc Anh Đài" is based on the Chinese legend of butterfly lovers. In "Cải lương tuồng cổ", "Hồ Quảng" a kind of Chinese opera may be mixed. Hence, some "Cải lương tuồng cổ" may  be called "Cải lương Hồ Quảng", which is more like a musical. In addition to regular speech, "ca cải lương", and "Vọng cổ", several melodies are incorporated into the play. These melodies are reused through different plays, however the words are changed to fit the context of the plays. "Cải lương tuồng cổ" can be characterized by beautiful, elaborate costumes comprising beautiful and colorful dress pieces; large, beautiful glittery hairpieces; elaborate warrior armor; and elaborate warrior head pieces.