HCM CITY — HCM City theatres promise a variety of new and interesting shows this Tết to suit audiences of varying musical and dramatic tastes. 

For comedy fans, the Thế Giới Trẻ (World of Youth) Drama Club on Cống Quỳnh Street in District 1 will offer a special series of three comedies each night from this weekend to February 25.   

Bao Giờ Mẹ Lấy Chồng (When Mom Gets Married), Tình Kỹ Nữ (Love Story) and Sứ Giả Thiên Đường (Messenger from Heaven) has attracted young actors from the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography. The plays focus on messages about love and youth.  

“We decided to stage comedies during Tết because people want to be entertained and forget their problems after a year of hard work. To attract young audiences, our actors will perform with sound and light effects on a modern stage," said Bùi Quốc Bảo, the club’s art director.

“We hope our shows will show good profits during the year’s biggest business season,” he added. 

Bảo’s club spent more than VNĐ5 billion (US$220,000) to upgrade its theatre.  

Another option for laughs is Thám Tử Si Tình (Detective in Love) staged by the IDECAF Drama Stage. Directed by young talent Vũ Minh, the play focuses on lessons about love and family in urban life. Famous comedians Thành Lộc and Lê Khánh will be featured.  

For more quiet selections, try the popular stages of HCM City Drama Theatre on Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3 and Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Club on Bắc Hải Street in District 10. Both are popular with local students and workers.

The HCM City Drama Theatre is performing Hẻm Nhỏ Sài Gòn (Alley in Sài Gòn), a drama directed by People’s Artist Trần Ngọc Giàu.

Hẻm Nhỏ Sài Gòn highlights the lifestyle of Saigonese women and men who live on a small alley. They talk and share stories about life, love and money on Lunar New Year’s Eve.    

The show’s young actors Mai Phương, Anh Tuấn and Lê Vinh will dance and sing cải lương (reformed opera).

"Through our show, audiences can laugh but also can gain useful lessons. We hope our creative approach toward the play will provide a relaxing and humorous evening for audiences during Tết,” said the play’s director Giàu, who has more than 60 years of experience in the industry.

Hoàng Thái Thanh Drama Club’s Giấc MộngVàng Son (Big Dream) portrays the changes in traditional values related to culture and lifestyles. The leading characters are played by veteran actors Tuyết Thu, Quang Thảo and Quốc Thịnh.

All of the new plays begin performances on February 12. 

Fans of music should head to the HCM City Youth Cultural House on Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street in District 1.

The house will stage a free outdoor concert, Cung Chúc Tân Xuân (Celebrating New Spring) on Lunar New Year’s Eve, February 15.   

The event includes various songs, dances, circuses and fashion shows, attracting more than 50 singers, dancers and the pop bands LipB and Uni5.

More than 5,000 people are expected to join the show.

Whatever your tastes, HCM City’s theatres guarantee an entertaining new year. – VNS