Circus and puppet shows produced by the Phương Nam Theatre for children feature traditional stories, legends and characters from Vietnamese fairy tales. Photo courtesy of the theatre.

By Thu Anh 

HCM CITY— Theatres and drama troupes in HCM City have invested in making new shows for children this year that will acquaint them with folk stories, fairy tales and traditional culture. 

Phương Nam Theatre offers new circus and puppet performances at Gia Định Park in Tân Bình District every weekend.

Highlighted events include Rồng Vàng Tết Việt (Golden Dragon Welcomes Lunar New Year), a variety show featuring old stories and characters from Vietnamese fairy tales set in traditional culture and lifestyles. 

Themes of love, friendship, bravery, self-respect and honesty are highlighted. 

The show attracted more than 7,000 audiences in the Tết holiday, which ran from February 8 to 14. 

Another is Trước Ngọn Sóng (Facing the Waves), a water puppet play directed by Trần Được. 

The play portrays soldiers stationed on the Trường Sa (Spratly) Islands who have dedicated themselves to protecting the nation's sovereignty, demonstrating incredible bravery in the face of hardship.

The lives of people living on the islands are also featured.

After the show, brief talks about Vietnamese puppetry and its history will be provided to help children gain a greater understanding of national culture.

“Our artists are ready and eager to entertain young audiences. We are hoping for a good year in ticket sales,” said theatre director Lê Diễn, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. 

5B Small Theatre offers a series of new plays for children every weekend this year. Photo courtesy of the theatre.

The 5B Small Theatre spent more than VNĐ250 million (US$10,800) on each new production for children, including musical and drama shows.  

Bộ Lạc Nanh Trắng (The Village) carries messages encouraging children to work together and fight negativity.  

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

The collection includes five books and features 150 stories of friendship, love and dreams, highlighting the country's history, culture and lifestyle. 

The musical Thế Giới Đồ Chơi Và Cậu Bé Rồng (World of Toys and Dragon Boy) is expected to become a children’s favourite this year.

The play tells stories about a dragon boy and a naughty little girl in the world of toys, where they learn lessons about love and sympathy.

It also highlights the efforts of parents to provide their kids a better life, and teaches children to appreciate these efforts and love their parents.

The show attracts Meritorious Artist Võ Minh Lâm as the dragon boy, and child actress Gia Hân as the little girl, along with veteran and young actors graduated from art schools. 

“Vietnamese fairy tales include useful lessons. Children can improve their souls and minds after watching our shows,” said Meritorious Artist and theatre actress Mỹ Uyên, director of the troupe. 

Uyên said that her artists will make every show for children a combination of cải lương (refomed opera), tuồng (classic drama), Vietnamese drama, dance and music.

The plays by 5B Small Theatre are staged at weekends at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3.

IDECAF Drama Troupe, one of the city’s leading private theatres, recently launched a drama programme for children called Truyện Thần Tiên (Fairy Tales). 

The programme offers drama, comedy and musical shows produced by talented artists Đình Toàn, Vũ Minh and Bạch Long. 

Highlighted performances combine drama and cải lương, a traditional form of Vietnamese theatre which began 100 years ago in the South. 

Beautiful costumes and light and sound effects will be offered to meet the tastes of children.

“Through our programme, Truyện Thần Tiên, we want to provide young audiences with the beauty of Vietnamese culture and lifestyle,” said the theatre’s art director Đình Toàn. 

The 200-seat Búp Sen Hồng (Pink Lotus) Drama Troupe will offer a series of drama, music and song programmes aimed at children and teenagers. 

The shows will be staged by young artists and child members of youth cultural houses around the city.  

“Our troupe opened late last year and works under the State-owned HCM City Cultural House for Children,” said the theatre’s director Lê Hay. “We are working to create new shows with images, sounds and music to attract children and teenagers.” –VNS