CLASSIC TALES: Young artists from the private Trương Hùng Minh Drama Troupe of HCM City will stage drama and musical shows based on Vietnamese folk stories to serve children this summer. Photos courtesy of the theatre

HCM CITY — A series of new drama and musical plays for children will be staged starting from this weekend by young artists from the newly-opened private Trương Hùng Minh Drama Troupe in HCM City.

The shows will be based on Vietnamese folk stories and fairy tales set in traditional culture and lifestyles.

The themes of bravery, self-respect, honesty and friendship will be highlighted.

The first production, Cây Tre Trăm Đốt (The Hundred-Knot Bamboo Tree) is about a young and poor farmer who works for a wealthy landowner.

The landowner promises to reward him with a wedding to his beautiful daughter after three years of hard work. When the time comes, the landowner refuses by asking him to find a bamboo tree with one hundred knots in the forest.

The farmer finally uses his clever mind to win the game and takes his bride to go home.

“We spent a lot on making many beautiful outfits, accessories and stage designs for the play,” said the play’s producer Minh Nhí, who has 30 years in the industry. “We invited young directors Huỳnh Lập and Hồng Tú to create something new to entertain children.”

PLAYS FOR KIDS: The HCM City-based private Trương Hùng Minh Drama Troupe's artists are working to expand Vietnamese drama among young people.

Nhí, in co-operation with his partners, opened Trương Hùng Minh Drama Troupe last year.

The troupe offers drama and musical shows, and stand-up comedy performances aimed at young people. Their art features social issues such as friendship, family and love.

It attracts young actors from art schools.

“Our theatre will provide young people with new concepts and techniques in drama. We will also introduce stand-up comedy to bring laughter and meaningful life lessons to audiences,” Nhí said.

Nhí has been involved in stand-up comedy since the 1990s. He has directed and performed in many plays and TV shows.

He works as a lecturer for art schools and leading theatres, including the IDECAF Drama Stage and 5B Small Theatre.

The new show Cây Tre Trăm Đốt and other productions by artists of Trương Hùng Minh Drama Troupe will be staged every weekend morning and night at 22 Vĩnh Viễn Street, District 10, starting on May 20. — VNS