STAGE LEGEND - Meritorious Aritst Thành Lộc has 50 years working in theatre. He plays a lead role in the web drama Thạch Sanh-Lý Thanh (The Story of Thạch Sanh and Lý Thanh) based on a popular Vietnamese fairy tale. Photo courtesy of the theatre.

HCM CITY — A web drama based on Vietnamese tales starring famous theatre actor and director Thành Lộc of HCM City will be released on YouTube in August.

The show, Thạch Sanh-Lý Thanh (The Story of Thạch Sanh and Lý Thanh), is based on a popular Vietnamese fairy tale called Thạch Sanh (The Tale of Thạch Sanh).

Thạch Sanh tells the story of an orphan who grows up to be a brave woodcutter and defeats monsters to save a princess. Finally, he and the princess get married.

In the web drama, love, honestly and bravery will be highlighted. Family issues will also be included.

The show stars Lộc as the lead character, and young artists Ngọc Thanh Tâm and Võ Tấn Phát.

Filming began on May 14.

“I invested a lot in making Thạch Sanh-Lý Thanh, my second web drama. I believe releasing web dramas on YouTube is a good way to save money on production and provide audiences with art,” said actress Ngọc Thanh Tâm, who is also the film’s producer, during the film’s launching ceremony in HCM City. “I invited theatre star Lộc to perform in my production as a way to guarantee its success.”

THEATRE FOR KIDS - Meritorious Artist Thành Lộc (central) and his young actors from the HCM City-based IDECAF Drama Troupe are helping to introduce Vietnamese theatre to young people. Photo courtesy of the theatre.

Pioneer

Meritorious Artist Lộc decided to challenge himself with a role in Thạch Sanh-Lý Thanh.

“I wanted to try a new form by using YouTube to expand my art among young people,” said Lộc, who has more than 50 years in theatre.

Lộc is a founder of IDECAF Drama Troupe, one of HCM City’s leading private theatres. The theatre features 30 professional artists, along with backstage workers.

Lộc has played a key role in the development of the city’s theatre, as he has produced, directed and performed in many plays since his troupe opened in 1997.

He has offered many experimental shows of dramas, musicals, cải lương (reformed opera) and hát bội (central drama), two genres of traditional theatre in the southern and central regions.

He has worked hard to produce musicals targeting children. His shows always go with images, sounds and music that provide young audiences with wonderful insights about their history, traditional culture and theatre.

His latest show is The Wild Swans, which is based on a literary fairy tale by Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.

Lộc’s Vietnamese version features a princess who rescues her family from an evil witch. Many beautiful outfits, accessories and stage designs are used.

The show’s first performance was in May and has attracted 10,000 spectators.

Lộc is a director of the theatre’s long-term programme called Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once Upon a Time), which began in 2000.

The programme has offered more than 34 plays with more than 900 free performances for thousands of young children and teenagers, including disadvantaged children who live at open houses and shelters around the city.

“Through our programme, we want to provide children with new concepts and techniques in drama. We also hope to foster a love of the theatre among the youth,” said Lộc. — VNS