Story & Review of Teh Dar Show at Hoi An Lune Center

In 2015, Teh Dar Show was given birth. In August 2016, it debuted to the public at Saigon Opera House (District 1, Ho Chi Minh city). In 2018, it arrived in Hoi An, aiming to bring a world-class show to international tourists. To commemorate a city’s anniversary, a part of this show was performed on the street of Hoi An Old Town.

Teh Dar Show’s main theme is about the life and culture of hill tribe communities who have lived in Vietnamese central highlands (called: Tay Nguyen). This is the first ever performance that paid tribute to them and went on a world tour. In K’hor language, show name means ‘going in circle’. The circle symbolizes a life circle in which humans are borned, lived, died, and then reborned. Additionally, highlanders in Southern Vietnam also play gongs, dance, and sing while they go together around a circle (during festivals). This activity aims to enhance the connection between humans and the gods, and the solidarity of community members.

Key features of Teh Dar Show are ‘exotic Vietnamese tribes culture’, ‘Vietnamese bamboo circus’, ‘enchanting music from tribal instruments’. In other words, Teh Dar Show is an amazing blend of bamboo cirque, acrobatics, and live tribal music. The music itself comes from a massive set of percussion, gong, buffalo horn, T’rung (a bamboo xylophone used by Jarai and Bahnar people), elephant drum, and more. This is a part of ‘Space of Gongs’ that was honoured by Unesco to be humanity’s intangible cultural heritage in 2005.

During the Teh Dar Show, the audience will see incredible performances from more than 20 Vietnamese artists. Much of them belong to tribal communities who have owned these unique, beautiful living cultural elements. They wear their traditional costume (mostly black or red) and ‘weird’ wooden masks. In addition, they use their own languages in all communications and songs. For that reason, viewers can see, hear, and feel most authentic slices of their daily life.

Creators of Teh Dar Show are the ones who succeed in their profession, passion, and receive different international rewards. The audience probably can have memorable cultural experiences, and values good for money during an hour showtime. Before this show appeared on the stage, the team traveled to Vietnam’s central mountains, to live and breathe highland life.

The director is Mr Tuan Le, a juggling artist, choreographer, and show director. He was the first and only Vietnamese artist to work with the largest theatrical producers worldwide. He directed A O Show and Lang Toi (My Village) Show for the Lune Productions too (now, these shows are available in Ho Chi Minh city or Hanoi). The music director is Mr Nguyen Nhat Ly who is very passionate about Vietnamese traditional and ethnic musical instruments. He is borned in France, grew up in Vietnam, and then moved back to France to pursue his music career. Live music in every show of the Lune Productions is under his inspiration and guidance. The choreographer is Ms Ngo Thanh Phuong who studied in Germany, and received some international winning rewards.

HOIAN DAY TRIP Company daily organizes tours and transfers to Hoi An Old Town. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or hoiandaytripcompany@gmail.com or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!