Actors from the Small Drama Theatre in a special series called Sướng Quá Xuân (Spring of Joy). Photo courtesy of the producer

HCM CITY — Theatres in HCM City are striving to hold a variety of shows to serve loyal audiences after closing for over nine months due to COVID-19. 

For comedy fans, the Small Drama Theatre on Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3 has offered a special series called Sướng Quá Xuân (Spring of Joy), consisting of two comedies Tạm Biệt Thần Men (Goodbye to God of Wine) and Sui Gia Đối Đầu (In-laws Conflict),

The plays on family issues feature veteran and young actors like Mỹ Uyên, Tuấn Kiệt and Tuyền Mập.

Meritorious Artist Mỹ Uyên, the theatre’s director, said: “Sướng Quá Xuân focuses on entertainment, aiming to provide many laughs and a lot of joy after facing a very tough year.”

The series have been staged every night since Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays.

The Thế Giới Trẻ (Youth World) Theatre, which is popular among students and young people, have also staged a new comedy Bật Công Tắc Là Yêu (Love Switch), focusing on messages about love.

The play attracts actors who graduated from the city's University of Theatre and Cinematography.

According to the theatre, they intended to premiere the play for 2021 Tết holiday, but had to delay for a year due to the COVID pandemic. 

The theatre has also presented drama Bao Giờ Mẹ Lấy Chồng (When Does Mom Get Married?), which won the best play prize at the 2021 Southern Drama Festival.

The play is a production by young director Ngọc Hùng, with actors Diễm Phương, Anh Tú and Quang Tuấn, graduates of the University of Theatre and Cinematography.

Popular stages like Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Club in District 10 and Phú Nhuận Drama Theatre in District Phú Nhuận District have performed their favourite plays.

Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Club’s Tình Yêu Trời Đánh (From Hate to Love), one of the theatre’s most popular works, features two haters who learn to admit their true love for one another.

The leading characters are played by Meritorious Artist Hồng Ánh and actor Trí Quang.  

Tình Yêu Trời Đánh was first staged for Tết in 2020, and became the theatre’s highest-grossing production at that time.

Phú Nhuận Drama Club has introduced comedy Thân Sâu Hồn Bướm (Caterpillar to Butterfly) and horror play Ngôi Nhà Trên Thuyền (The House on the Boat), attracting thousands of viewers.

Meritorious Artist Tú Sương and actor Võ Minh Lâm will perform in cải lương play Lương Sơn Bá - Chúc Anh Đài (Butterfly Lovers), which will premiere on February 12 at the HCM City Opera House. —  Photo courtesy of the producer

For fans of cải lương (reformed opera), the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre has hosted a special show Nghệ Sĩ Mừng Xuân (Spring Festival Celebration), featuring extracts from famous cải lương plays.

The performances attract veteran artists like People’s Artist Mỹ Hằng and Minh Hoàng, along with young performers Võ Thành Phê, Kim Luận and Nguyễn Văn Khởi, winners of TV show about cải lương called Chuông Vàng Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) launched by the HCM City Television.

The theatre restaged plays Đứa Con Họ Triệu (The Triệu’s Son) during Tết, and will present Tiếng Trống Mê Linh (The Sound of Mê Linh Drum) on February 12.

The Chí Linh - Vân Hà Theatre will also premiere cải lương play Lương Sơn Bá - Chúc Anh Đài (Butterfly Lovers) on February 12.

The play will see the comeback of Meritorious Artist and cải lương star Vũ Linh, who became famous in the 1970s and won many top prizes at national theatre festivals and contests.

Meritorious Artist Vân Hà, the theatre's owner, said: "We are honoured to have Vũ Linh in our play. His presence will motivate young actors to further their career."

Lương Sơn Bá - Chúc Anh Đài will take place at 8pm at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. VNS