It's a secret: Popular singers in HCM City will participate in special shows during the International Day for Children. — File Photo

HCM CITY — Local entertainment centres across the country will offer new shows during International Day for Children (June 1) that will appeal to children of all age.

In Ha Noi, the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre will organise the variety show Ngoi Nha Cua Be 2012 (Children's House 2012) with singers and dancers. It will be performed daily until mid-June.

The theatre's circus and drama show, Co Tich Cuoi (Legend of Smiles), featuring dozens of circus artists and comedians, includes young dancer Dang Quan.

The show, which includes music, dance, pantomine and circus tricks, is about young boys and girls who take part in magical adventures that help them learn about people and animals.

The show began yesterday at Thanh Nien Theatre on Tran Binh Trong Street.

In HCM City, the September 23 Park Circus Theatre in District 1 will feature two prestigious art troupes for children, the HCM City Circus Troupe and Puppet Troupe.

They will perform a play based on traditional legends, Thach Sanh Chem Chan (Hero Thach Sanh Kills the Beast).

The special performance will combine the traditional genres of circus and puppetry as well as modern music and dance.

It will open this Saturday and will continue to be staged every weekend until mid-June.

The producers have invested more than VND400 million (US$20,000) in theatre costumes, sound and light effects.

"We've worked under a pressure to offer a quality show for children that has an interesting cast of good and bad characters, as well as different theatrical styles," said stage director Thanh Loc of the IDECAF Stage.

Loc's staff have also been working on the new shows Chua Te Muon Loai (King of Animals) and Vien Ngoc Than (Magic Pearl).

Famous comic actors Huu Chau, Dai Nghia and Dinh Toan will take part in the shows.

"We hope our shows will make children laugh, scream and jump for joy at the same time. We want young audiences to be entertained and educated through our creative works," said Loc, who believes parents and teachers should help children love and learn about the theatre.

Meanwhile, cultural houses for children are launching contests in painting, story-telling, singing and dancing.

Many traditional games, music and fashion shows will be held in local parks, including Dam Sen and Suoi Tien in HCM City.

The organisers have invited young singers, including Noo Phuoc Thinh, Minh Hang and Dong Nhi, to attend the celebrations.

Several thousand gifts and toys collected by charity organisations will be given to disadvantaged children on International Children's Day.

On the special day, volunteers will visit and play with children who live in open houses and shelters. — VNS