FOR THE KIDS:The IDECAF (Institute of Cultural Exchange with France), one of HCM City’s leading private theatres, will offer a new musical for children based on 'The Wild Swans', a fairy tale by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, this summer. Photo courtesy of the theatre.

HCM CITY — Artists from IDECAF (The Institute of Cultural Exchange with France), one of the region’s leading private drama troupes, are working to offer a musical for children in HCM City this summer.

The musical is based on The Wild Swans, a literary fairy tale by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. The story was first published in 1838 in the writer’s book titled Fairy Tales Told for Children. It has been adapted to many ballets, television shows and films.

The Vietnamese version features a princess who rescues her family from an evil witch.

Love, friendship, bravery and honesty are also highlighted.

Celebrated Artist Mỹ Duyên and Hữu Châu will perform the lead characters.

Cải lương (reformed opera) star Bạch Long also plays a part in the musical.

The play’s producer Huỳnh Anh Tuấn spent a lot to make many beautiful outfits, accessories and stage designs for the play.

“We have worked hard and have enough resources to stage quality drama plays and musicals to entertain young audiences,” said Tuấn, founder of IDECAF, who has 25 years in the industry.

The musical The Wild Swans is part of a long-term theatre programme called Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once Upon a Time) launched by IDECAF in 2000.

The programme is launched by Meritorious Artist and theatre actor-director Thành Lộc and his partners. It provides young audiences with new concepts and techniques in Vietnamese drama. Lộc and his artists have worked hard to foster a love of theatre among children and teenagers.

Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa has produced 33 plays with 500 free performances and shows for more than 30,000 children and teenagers, including disadvantaged one who live in streets and shelters around the city.

Last year, the programme offered Cuộc Phiêu Lưu Của Thuyền Trưởng Sinbad - Đại Chiến Nàng Tiên Cá (The Adventures of Sinbad - The Battle of Mermaids), a musical by director Đình Toàn.

It is a re-telling of the adventures of Sinbad from The Arabian Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales. It was staged for 60 shows attracting an audience of 18,000.

The first show of the musical The Wild Swans is scheduled to be staged in May at 28 Lê Thánh Tôn Street, District 1. – VNS