Vim and vigour: Thien Nhan, winner of The Voice Kid 2014, debuts her live show today. She will perform the songs that impressed audiences during the contest. — Photo hanoimoi.com.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — As International Children's Day (June 1) nears, Hanoian children seem to have an abundance entertainment options, with several new plays and music programmes set for the occasion.

Popular cartoon characters will star in a new music and dance programme to be performed by the Youth Theatre from May 30 to June 1.

Entitled Adventure in the Cartoon World, the show centres on Anna and Elsa, the princesses from Frozen; Baymax from Big Hero 6; Maleficent from Maleficent; and Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

Mischievous characters from other cartoon series will appear, including from Oggy and the Cockroaches, Upin-Ipin, The Pink Panther, and the Russian-made Nu, Pogodi! (Well, Just You Wait!).

Alongside this performance, the Youth Theatre will also debut De Men Phieu Luu Ky (Adventures of a Cricket). Adapted from the children's tale of the same title written by To Hoai, the play tells the story of a cricket who leaves his nest and travels around. He grows up and learns by overcoming difficult situations with the help of different people and animals.

Adventure in the Cartoon World and Adventures of a Cricket will be staged this summer at the Youth Theatre, 11 Ngo Thi Nham Street.

A variety show for children, Cartoon Kingdom by comedian Xuan Bac, will premiere at Cong Nhan Theatre, 42 Trang Tien Street, from May 28 until June 1.

The show will take children into the world of their favourite cartoon characters from the series Fruity Robo, Infinity Nado and Zinba.

Theme songs from these series will be performed by young singers Nhat Trang, Nhat Minh, Tran Lap and Quoc Thai, who won the children's singing contest Do Re Mi.

For the upcoming holiday, Xuan Bac has also teamed up with comedian Tu Long to present the comedy Bi Mat Chuyen Ke (Secret Story) at Au Co Theatre.

The play tells the story of how an excellent student (played by Xuan Bac) who believes in the motto "good will always triumph over evil" fights the Devil King (played by Tu Long) to protect his faith. The comedy will be held from May 28 to June 1.

A concert tonight at the Friendship Palace on Tran Hung Dao Street will feature Thien Nhan – winner of The Voice Kid 2014 – and her friends from the competition.

During her debut live show, Nhan, 12, will perform the songs that impressed audiences during the contest, including Me Yeu (Beloved Mother), Con Yeu Me (Mom, I Love You), the Khmer ethnic tune Soc So Ba Soc Trang and the chau van (ritual singing) song Co Doi Thuong Ngan.

Another performance on this occasion will be Zen Magic – a magic show by the Japanese duo Ali and Yuki, which will take place at the Friendship Palace from May 28 to June 1.

Dubbed the "First Ladies of Illusion", the duo specialise in performing dramatic stage illusions infused with the beauty of traditional Japanese elements.

They have done numerous tours around the world. The duo's signature act is the Excalibur Illusion, which combines magic with aerial acrobatics.

To prepare for their debut shows in Viet Nam, the illusionists must to transport five tonnes of equipment to the venue.

After Ha Noi, the duo will perform in HCM City on June 6-7 and 12-14.

Children can enjoy a repertoire featuring water puppetry at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre (57 Dinh Tien Hoang Street).

To lure young audiences, the Ha Noi Cheo Theatre will stage the traditional opera Nhung Dieu Uoc Than Ky (Magical Wishes), and the Viet Nam Drama Theatre will debut Chuyen Chang Dung Si (Story of a Brave Fighter). Both have been performed until June 1. — VNS