SCHOOL TOUR - Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre plans to offer traditional art performances at schools in the HCM City during the school year of 2024-2025. Photo courtesy of the theatre

HCM CITY — The Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương (reformed opera) Theatre, one of Việt Nam’s leading art troupes, has kicked off its annual school tour to promote traditional arts in HCM City.

The programme is supported by the city Department of Culture and Sports to introduce classical plays about Việt Nam’s history and culture, national heroes, and Vietnamese fairy tales.

The performances feature plays such as Trần Quốc Toản about young hero Trần Quốc Toản of the Trần Dynasty who devoted himself to protecting the country at a very young age, and Chuyện Nhà Nàng Hến (A Story of Mussel), inspired by Nghêu Sò Ốc Hến (The Stories of the Clam, Oyster, Snail, and Mussel), one of the masterpieces of Vietnamese folk comedy theatre.

Songs praising the country and the city are included, such as Việt Nam Ơi (Dear Việt Nam) and Thành Phố Tình Yêu (The City of Love).

The programme features young singers and performers from the Lạc Long Quân Theatre Club and the performing arts unit. Both are under the management of the theatre.

Apart from performances, the project offers knowledge of traditional Vietnamese arts such as tài tử music and cải lương.

The tour is set to visit around 50 schools across the city during the 2024-2025 school year. — VNS