A warning from the play "Sinking in the vortex"

The play brings to the audience moments of silence before the naked truth of greed and power, while at the same time arousing deep emotions before the aspiration for goodness - a flame that still smolders in people amidst the storms of life today.

From the vortex of power to the tragedy of conscience

Borrowing the story of the fight against corruption,"Sinking in the vortex"opens up a multi-layered picture – where people are caught up in material temptations and power, and end up losing themselves.

At the center of that vortex is Liem - the City Chairman, played by Meritorious Artist Ta Duong. Once an exemplary leader, respected by his subordinates, but faced with the temptations of power and manipulation by businesses, Liem gradually slid down the wrong path, assisting in illegal projects, leaving serious consequences for society and himself.

Opposite Liem is Hai – a scheming, calculating businessman, impressively portrayed by Meritorious Artist Duc Lam. Duc Lam portrayed Hai as a “fox” of the market economy era – someone who understands people’s hearts and knows how to take advantage of their weaknesses to achieve his goals. Under his control, people who seem to be steadfast and courageous are gradually drawn into traps, becoming puppets in the game of power and money.

One of the most pitiful “pawns” is Thao Vy – the beautiful runner-up, played hauntingly by Meritorious Artist Thien Hue. She was turned into a tool in Hai’s scheme, and when she realized she was just a bargaining chip in the chessboard of power and money, Thao Vy chose death as a way to preserve her last bit of dignity. The scene of her suicide – in cold white light, amidst mournful folk music – left the audience speechless.

Amidst the darkness, the character of Colonel Minh – played by Meritorious Artist Thanh Vinh – appears as a symbol of justice. Minh represents not only the law but also reason and honesty. Even though the criminal is a relative, he is determined to solve the case.

At the same time, Thuy – Hai’s wife (played by Meritorious Artist Minh Thanh) – appeared in another tragedy. That woman, who once believed her husband was a successful man, had to witness all the depravity and degeneration of her husband that destroyed the whole family.

Imprint of staging and artistic creation

Under the direction of People's Artist Hoai Hue,"Sinking in the vortex"is a stage work that is elaborately staged and has deep thoughts.

Script: Dr. Nguyen Dang Chuong, People's Artist An Ninh adapted the folk song and Musician Quoc Chung directed the art. This creative collective created a harmonious whole between the language of drama and the folk melodies of Nghe An.

If the dialogues are sharp and political, the folk melodies soften the heavy burden of thoughts, opening the way for emotions to penetrate every corner of the audience's soul. Each verse of the Vi and Giam songs resonates like a confession, a voice of conscience.

In particular, the creative stage treatment has made the play go beyond traditional boundaries. The director used a dance group in black and white costumes, symbolizing the two sides of good and evil, showing the cycle of reincarnation between temptation and regret. The image of the white ao dai hanging in the scene where Thao Vy ends her life becomes a strong visual highlight, symbolizing the loss of beauty and virtue.

“I want the audience to see in'Sinking in the vortex'It is not only a story about fighting corruption, but also a voice about human conscience. Anyone can fall into that spiral if they are not alert enough to protect themselves" - People's Artist Hoai Hue shared.

More than just a play,"Sinking in the vortex"is a wake-up call through art.It touches the deepest parts of the viewer's soul – where good and evil are still struggling every day.

The play's message resonates with the Party and State's fierce spirit in the fight against corruption and negativity - an uncompromising fight with a clear motto: "No forbidden zones, no exceptions".

But beyond the political message,"Sinking in the vortex"also sends faith in humanity. In the darkness of sin, there is still a glimmer of conscience. Although Liem, Hai or Thao Vy all have mistakes, they still have moments of self-questioning, tears of repentance. And that is what makes the audience not only angry, but also sympathetic - and reflect on themselves.

"Sinking in the vortex"The ending, but the echoes still follow the audience for a long time. Because the vortex that the director draws on stage is not only the story of the characters, but also the shadow of everyday life today.

In modern life, money – power – love are three things that can lift people up, but can also drag them down to the abyss. Money gives us opportunities, power gives us status, love gives us emotions – but when these three things are mixed together in greed, it becomes an invisible vortex that sweeps away our personality.

The play seems to say: No one is born bad, it's just that some people don't have the courage to stop in the face of temptation. And in that battle, conscience is the last support that helps people keep the "human" part of themselves.

"Sinking in the vortex"Not just the story of a city chairman or a fallen businessman – but the story of every human being in the times,between a myriad of choices: right and wrong, gain and loss, keep yourself or lose.

The play ended, the audience was still silent in thought. In the fading light, the message of the Nghe An artists still echoed:“The most terrible prison is not iron bars, but the imprisonment of one's own conscience.”

A simple yet profound message – that amidst the whirlpools of money, power and desire, people can only find peace when they maintain the goodness in their souls. And it is this belief in justice and reason that is the light that helps us not to get lost in the whirlpool of life.