MUSICAL FOR KIDS: The Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre, one of HCM City’s private theatres, will offer a new musical for children called Đảo Muôn Màu: Cuộc Thử Thách Sinh Tồn (The Multi-Coloured Island: The Adventures of Brave Heart) in June. Photo courtesy of Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre

HCM CITY — The private Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre will stage a musical for children in HCM City this summer.

The musical, Đảo Muôn Màu - Cuộc Thử Thách Sinh Tồn (The Multi-Coloured Island: The Adventures of Brave Heart), is based on Middle Eastern and Vietnamese folk tales.

It showcases the challenges that a kind prince called Dawn and his friends face during their adventure, including witches, wizards, strange tribes and fantastic creatures.

The values of bravery, honesty and friendship are highlighted.

The show attracts young talents such as Bảo Minh, Hương Mi, Gia Lợi and Hữu Phúc.

“Through our show, we hope children will be entertained while learning useful lessons,” said the play’s director and scriptwriter Quốc Thảo, who is also the theatre’s founder.

Thảo and his staff have worked to provide young audiences with new concepts and techniques in drama. They have also made themselves many beautiful outfits, accessories and stage designs for the play.

Đảo Muôn Màu- Cuộc Thử Thách Sinh Tồn will be staged on June 15, 23 and 29. Tickets are available at the theatre, 72 Nguyễn Văn Trỗi Street, Phú Nhuận District.

EMERGING STARS: Young talents of the private Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre perform in 'Đảo Muôn Màu: Cuộc Thử Thách Sinh Tồn (The Multi-Coloured Island: The Adventures of Brave Heart), a new musical for children in HCM City this summer. Photo courtesy of Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre

Children’s theatre

Quốc Thảo Drama Theatre offers experimental shows staged especially to serve children and teenagers.

"Through our troupe, we wanted to develop an appreciation of drama among young people, particularly children, who can learn more about history, culture and theatre through our shows,” said Thảo, who has more than 20 years on the stage. “Although we face a lot of challenges on the way, we will never give up.”

The troupe opened in 2017, offering many musical and drama shows for young audiences during the summer, Christmas and New Year seasons.

Its shows attract young actors from art schools like the HCM City Theatre and Cinematography College and University of Culture.

The troupe also offers short-term training courses in performance skills for children aged six to 13 years old. The training courses give young participants a chance to discover drama, music and dance, and ways of expressing themselves emotionally on stage.

Thảo, also a lecturer at prestigious theatre schools, said he was confident that his students “could foster the love for theatre when they are very young.” VNS