Too many negative issues to cover for year-end satire   The director of the annual Tao Quan, or the Kitchen Gods, said in an interview that they can only cover the major cases in this year’s show.   Director Do Thanh Hai Do Thanh Hai, the director of the Tao Quan programme recently said that all artists acting in the anticipated year-end satire are enthusiastic and talented. Tao Quan has attracted more attention after Chi Trung refused the Transport God role. What do you think about the actor’s decision? Are you facing any difficulties in finding an alternative? I don't find it necessary for me to give any more comments about Chi Trung, as he has made his stance clear already. I just want to add that the programme is the combination of several elements, ranging from the writing to the performances. I’m not really happy to change any actors, as they have made their own impression on the audience. Many people find it easy to associate actors with their roles. Such artists are really talented and enthusiastic, as they are willing to overcome difficulties and stay up late in rehearsal. They all receive the audience’s love. Anyone who substitutes Chi Trung to take the Transport God role would not imitate his performance and we’ll change the script to make it more suitable. Chi Trung admitted that he refused the Transport God role as he has a close relationship with the incumbent Minister of Transport Dinh La Trang. You’ve said artists in the show do not face any pressure from individuals or organisations. What did you say to Chi Trung when he decided to withdraw with such a private reason? I think that the information you have is not really the same with what we know. At this moment, we need to concentrate on preparing for the programme as well as avoid outside influences. I’ve talked to Chi Trung about plans for rehearsal, my intentions for the role and the script.   Actor Chi Trung (left) playing Transport God role last year There have been rumours about the content of the show. The latest rumour is that it would cover several major corruption cases related to former chairman of Vinalines, Duong Chi Dung. How would you “process” such major cases into a satire? I really want to share information about the show’s content. However, from my experience I don’t think it’s a good idea to disclose the script before accomplishing the performance as we may make change to it during rehearsal. So, I don’t want to make the audience to double about the accuracy of the information about the show’s content. Concerning the sensitive issues you mentioned, we don’t have the ambition to cover all negative issues, but we try to cover major issue in the society while keeping them funny. The cast in last year's show Which cases will be covered in the show? It’s really interesting that the audience always tries to guess the content of the show before broadcast. This expectation for entertainment can be either a good or influence. The show, however, is just one among several tools to describe these issues we all faced together, looking back at last year. Who will be the star of the show this year? Nam Tao and Bac Dau, two people who keep a book of birth and a book of death, in Chinese legend, as well as ordinary people.   Nam Tao and Bac Dau The show 2013 was pointed out by the Art Performing Department due to improper dialogue between Nam Tao and Bac Dau at the beginning. Being an attractive show for depicting several negative issues in the society, is there any possibility that this year’s show may be rebuked in the same way? If the show does not comply with standards of production for a TV programme it would be pointed out. However, most of artists who take part in such show are Meritorious Artists who have tens of years of experience in work, so they’re obviously responsible for their work and their image to millions of viewers.  By Hien Huong | dtinews.vn