Vở Chèo Bảng Nhãn Lê Quý Đôn | Nhà Hát Chèo Thái Bình - sân khấu chèo Thái Bình đặc sắc

Overview

This chèo performance traces the life-and-times of scholar Lê Quý Đôn (Bảng Nhãn/second-ranked top scholar)—from his triumphant return home, through a court ruled by corruption and political intrigue, to his final moral stand for the people.

Main plot & key highlights

• Homecoming after imperial success (comic family tension): After Lê Quý Đôn passes the exams, his family celebrates—especially his parents and grandmother—while also triggering teasing and jokes. A recurring bit is the family’s exaggerated fuss and arguments over whether officials should “celebrate,” contrasting the joy of coming first with the dread of entering official life.

• Advice from father & moral conflict: His father warns him not to rely on talent alone, but to uphold virtue, integrity, and concern for ordinary people. The world of officials, he says, is full of corruption, hidden dangers, and moral tests.

• Corrupt court decrees & power plays: The performance presents a harsh imperial/court system where arrogant officials rise and fall in favor, new orders arrive, and politics operates through fear, public humiliation, and shifting alliances rather than justice.

• The emperor’s teachings to the crown prince (a “values lesson” sequence): Lê Quý Đôn impresses the crown prince with lessons about knowing fear/shame/hardship as foundations of humanity and governance. He argues that ruling must protect people—not merely perform court ritual.

• A major corruption showdown (public humiliation of wrongdoing): Lê Quý Đôn and court investigators confront corrupt officials through a case involving taxes, famine, and bribery. Key beats include:

  • A memorable “gift” reversal, where investigators expose that bribes and stolen wealth were being used to influence officials.
  • A dramatic reversal in which common people and evidence overpower intimidation, leading to arrests and lashes/penalties for the guilty.

• Character spotlight: justice versus manipulation: Corrupt officials attempt to defeat Lê Quý Đôn with power, propaganda, and threats. However, he repeatedly insists on laws, evidence, and fairness, even when doing so risks his own reputation.

• Political aftermath & Lê Quý Đôn’s final choice (retreat to serve differently): After investigations, turmoil, and reassignment battles, Lê Quý Đôn ultimately leaves the court, requesting to return home—under a banyan tree—continuing to serve through writing and reflection, while emphasizing that scholars turned officials must still worry about the people.

Jokes / standout comedic beats

• Family banter at the exam victory: The home celebration is played for laughs, with elders reacting dramatically and dialogue repeatedly flipping between “joy” and “why you’re so sad.”

• Order/decree reading & long-winded authority: A running gag shows imperial documents/orders taking forever to read, provoking irritation and escalating comedy.

• Official arrogance and petty logic: Corrupt officials argue in grand terms—then reveal nonsense or hypocrisy, creating a comedic contrast with Lê Quý Đôn’s seriousness.

Overall performance emphasis

The video uses Lê Quý Đôn’s story to dramatize a central chèo theme: talent must be paired with integrity. Governance is only legitimate when it protects ordinary people—especially during crises involving famine, taxes, and corruption.

Appearing personalities (main characters)

• Lê Quý Đôn — scholar (“Bảng Nhãn”)
• His father and mother — family counsel; moral guidance
• Grandmother/elders — comic reactions and household commentary
• The Emperor and crown prince
• Corrupt/hostile officials, especially:
  • Lê Trọng Thu — Minister of Justice (portrayed as arrogant/strict)
  • Lê Thế Toại — councilor/court figure involved in bribery and oppression accusations
  • Hoàng Văn Đồng — wealthy figure tied to bribery/economic exploitation
• Court investigators / magistrate / prefect — legal and punitive authority
• Guangxi admiral / Qing-related envoys — later diplomatic and cultural exchange segments
• Na — a Vietnamese girl/captive courtesan rescued in the diplomatic arc