HÀ NỘI — A duo of Japanese magicians, Ai and Yuki, will perform with Vietnamese comedians for the first time in a show for children on the occasion of International Children’s Day.

The performance will be a musical play based on two cartoons, GGO AI Football and Gogo Dino, which are very popular among Vietnamese children. Kids will also have the chance to meet their favourite characters from the cartoons.

"This is the second time the magic duo has come to Việt Nam to perform, but they will perform with Vietnamese artists for the first time," said veteran comedian Đức Hải.

Ai and Yuki will combine movements and gestures from traditional Vietnamese artforms like tuồng (classical opera) and chèo (popular theatre) to perform in the musical play.

"Last time we performed in Việt Nam the smiles of Vietnamese audiences deeply impressed us," said magician Ai. "This time we will perform with Vietnamese artists to bring laughter to Vietnamese children. We are moved and honoured to perform with Vietnamese artists with Vietnamese background music."

The most thrilling performance will be the appearance of Japanese Ninja characters flying through the air, according to the duo.

Ai and Yuki are the first Japanese artists to perform in the Zen Magic show in Las Vegas, which they did for one year in 2010. Zen Magic is a general entertainment show fusing aerial acrobatics and magic.

The duo were invited to the world famous Magic Castle and were nominated in the category for Stage Magic at the Magic Castle Awards in 2008.

That same year, they produced their first American venture at the San Gabriel Theatre in Los Angeles and were featured in three episodes of the Masters of Illusions television show on the American FOX television channel in 2009.

Vietnamese artists performing at the play are Quang Thắng and two finalists from The Voice Kids and Vietnam Idol Kids Cao Lê Hà Trang and Quốc Đạt.

In Hà Nội, the performance will begin at 9am and 8pm on May 31 at the Cultural Friendship Palace and on June 1 at 9am and 8pm at Âu Cơ Art Centre. On May 28 the artists handed out 300 gifts to young patients at the National Institute of Haematology and Blood Transfusion. — VNS