TRADITIONAL THEATRE - The HCM City-based Sân Khấu Tài Năng (Talent Stage) Club offers new shows in cải lương (reformed opera) and tuồng (classical drama), two traditional genres of Vietnamese theatre which began more than 100 years ago. Photo courtesy of the club.

By Thu Anh

HCM CITY — Leading art troupes are offering summer performances for children and teenagers in HCM City as part of their efforts to lure youngsters back to Vietnamese theatre.

State-owned and private troupes include the HCM City Drama Theatre, HCM City Hát Bội Theatre, Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, Phương Nam Art Troupe and Bông Sen Dance and Music Theatre.

They will offer 72 shows in different fields of musical, drama, cải lương (reformed opera) and hát bội (classical drama) - the two traditional genres of Vietnamese theatre in the south and central regions which began a hundred years ago.

Water puppet and circus performances are also included.

Groups of young performers will travel to offer outdoor shows for children living in rural districts.

MEETING THE AUDIENCE - Young artists of the Sân Khấu Tài Năng (Talent Stage) Club and audience members take a photo after a show in HCM City. Photo courtesy of the club.

Phương Nam Art Troupe offers Vietnamese music, dance, pantomime and circus performances - delivering enough images, colours, action and tricks to keep young audiences and their parents entertained.

The theatre is looking for ways to attract ticket buyers who may have grown weary of acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists and clowns.

“We have worked to stage new concepts, and hope to impress and develop the next generation of audience members - younger fans, raised on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook,” said theatre director Công Nguyễn of Phương Nam Art Troupe.

Nguyễn Thảo Nhi, 10, who lives in Phú Nhuận District, said that she loved to have her parents take her to the theatre. "I watched Vietnamese musicals on television and YouTube during my school time this year. So I'm really looking forward to being able to go to the theatre," she said.

Shows by Phương Nam Art Troupe are staged at the Gia Định Park in Hoàng Minh Giám Street, Gò Vấp District.

SHOWS FOR KIDS - Young talents of leading theatres and art troupes offer new shows for children in HCM City this summer. Photo courtesy of the producer.

Young talents from the Sân Khấu Tài Năng (Talent Stage) Club offer Vương Quốc Thú Nhồi Bông (Kingdom of Teddy Bears), a musical on childhood and friendship. Bravery and patriotism are also included.

The club is managed by Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre. Its kid artists include Thảo Trâm, Thảo Trúc and Vương Tiến. Their debut attracted 300 children.

“We add modern styles to cải lương and tuồng to meet the taste of children and young audiences. Vietnamese dances and folk music are featured,” said theatre director-producer Hoàng Song Việt, a founder of Sân Khấu Tài Năng Club.

Việt’s plays are staged at Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre, 136D Trần Hưng Đạo Street in District 1.

A series of comedy and drama plays aimed at children six to 13 years old are offered by artists of HCM City Drama Theatre.

These productions are performed by 20 actors, including young talents from art schools such as the HCM City Theatre & Cinematography and the HCM City University of Culture.

Their art uses elements from a book series of Vietnamese fairy tales, Kho Tàng Truyện Cổ Tích Việt Nam (The Treasure of Vietnamese Fairy Tales), which was collected and rewritten by Nguyễn Đổng Chi, one of the country’s most popular cultural researchers.

“We hope young audiences can see the beautiful minds and brave characters of Vietnamese people after watching our shows,” said Meritorious Actress Mỹ Uyên, director of the theatre.

New shows by HCM City Drama Theatre are scheduled to be staged on the weekends in July and August at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street, District 3. — VNS