HCM CITY – Musicals for children and historical plays promise to bring joy and excitement to audiences of all ages in HCM City and neighbouring provinces during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, falling on February 8-14.

As usual, the Small Theatre will introduce a new musical for children on the first day of Lunar New Year.

Thế Giới Đồ Chơi Và Cậu Bé Rồng (World of Toys and Dragon Boy), written by veteran playwright Vương Huyền Cơ and directed by Minh Quốc, is expected to become a children’s favourite in the holiday.

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

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

Meritorious Artist Mỹ Uyên, the theatre’s director, said, “Tết is the time for family gatherings. Therefore, children’s plays with meaningful and educational messages are suitable for families to enjoy leisure time together.”

“In addition, all the artists and I very feel happy staging a special performance for children on such a very special occasion,” she added.

The play will feature Meritorious Artist Võ Minh Lâm as the dragon boy, and child actress Gia Hân as the little girl, along with veteran and young actors such as Mỹ Uyên, and Quốc Vũ.

The play will be staged at 10am and 2:45pm from February 10-18 at 5B Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3.

Another option for families will be the musical drama Tấm Cám Đại Chiến (A Battle between Tấm and Cám), a new version of the IDECAF Drama Stage’s favourite play Tấm Cám, which premiered in HCM City in 2000.

Tấm Cám is based on the fairy tale of the same name, considered to be the Vietnamese version of Cinderella. The play has been staged several times by veteran actors Thành Lộc, Hữu Châu and Mỹ Duyên. It is so popular that its tickets sell out all the time.

Meanwhile, the new version portrays beautiful and kind Tấm who fights against her evil stepsister Cám and stepmother. Despite the challenges that befall her, Tấm continues to believe in love and offers help to others.   

The production will feature veteran actors Đình Toàn, Đại Nghĩa and Mỹ Duyên, who are popular among fans of Ngày Xửa Ngày Xưa (Once Upon a Time), a long-term theatre programme launched by IDECAF in 2000.

Nguyễn Hồng Hạnh, a mother of two girls, said IDECAF was famous for their musical plays for children. She hoped to get tickets for the play Tấm Cám Đại Chiến as gifts to her daughter in Tết.

The show will begin at 4pm and 8pm on February 10, 14 and 18 at IDECAF Theatre, 28 Thái Văn Lung Street in District 1.

IDECAF also offers Cuộc Phiêu Lưu Của Cậu Bé Búp Bê (The Adventure of a Doll), featuring the journey of a boy doll to discover the real world on February 12, 14, 16 and 18 at the Thanh Niên (Youth) Stage at 4 Phạm Ngọc Thạch Street in District 1.

Historical plays

For fans of historical drama, two leading theatrical producers, Hồng Vân and Kim Tử Long, will join the production of historical musical Tình Sử Thăng Long (Love Story in Thăng Long).

The play is based on Công Chúa Ngọc Hân (Princess Lê Ngọc Hân), a famous play from the 1980s by the late playwright and poet Lưu Quang Vũ of Hà Nội.

The work depicts the love between Princess Ngọc Hân of the Later Lê Dynasty and her husband, Nguyễn Huệ, the second emperor of the Tây Sơn Dynasty (1778-1802), reigning from 1789-1792.

It also reveals conspiracies and battles for the throne.

People’s Artist Hồng Vân said, “Long and I are dedicated to producing a play reflecting the country’s history.

“I admire the love between Princess Ngọc Hân and Nguyễn Huệ. Their love is truly beautiful but faces many challenges and conspiracies,” she said.

Meritorious Artist and cải lương (reformed opera) actor Long said they had invested much in the play from stage and costumes to props. “Everything is new.”

He added the play also attracted actors from drama to cải lương to create a unique production.

The work features Long and cải lương actress Trinh Trinh in two leading roles, and popular veteran and young actors such as Hồng Vân and Bình Tinh.

The play will begin at 8pm on February 15 and 16 at the Bến Thành Theatre on 6 Mạc Đỉnh Chi Street in District 1. — VNS