The students will stage Tam Va Hoang Hau (Tam and the Queen), a tragicomedy based on the popular Vietnamese fairy tale titled Tam Cam. — Photo sinhvienit.net

HCM CITY (VNS) — Students from the Drama Club of the HCM City University of Social Science and Humanities are preparing to stage their latest dramas on National Day, September 2.

The students will stage Tam Va Hoang Hau (Tam and the Queen), a tragicomedy based on the popular Vietnamese fairy tale titled Tam Cam.

The play is adapted by cultural researcher Nhat Chieu, who works as a lecturer for the university.

It tells the life of Tam, a poor girl, who faces challenges to find her true love.

The young artists will perform on a stage with sound and light effects.

"The university's mini-club is composed of amateurs from the city's many prestigious stages. But our 11-year-old club brings students closer to the art," said student Thien Huan, head of the Drama Club.

"The club is our own place where we can play, meet and share our views," he said.

Huan's colleagues, Huynh Nhu and Thu Van, who are also studying literature and linguistics, have adapted dozens of plays from popular Vietnamese literary works.

"We are very nervous about performing Tam Va Hoang Hau because it's funny, but also contains valuable lessons," said Nhu.

Nhu also plays the role of a fairy, who, with his magic, helps Tam escape from her wicked stepmother.

"I am very involved in the role because I don't want to disappoint my audience," he said. "Staging on the holiday is our chance to make an impression and show drama lovers what we can do."

Theatre critic Ngoc Uyen, who has worked with the club's members, said all their plays are a big challenge.

"Students have tried to perfect their work in the hope that their club will become a place for young people to enjoy the art in different way."

Uyen said that the club is part of the university's drive to be recognised as a specialist university.

"By having this club, the university can give its teachers and students the opportunity to develop their techniques and their knowledge of emotional expression, and can develop their talents while still at school," she said.

Tickets for the play Tam Va Hoang Hau are VND20,000 (nearly US$1).

The play will be staged every night, from August 29 to September 2, at 8pm at the USSH, 10-12 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, District 1. — VNS