Setting the scene: A scene in Chien Binh, a cai luong play, featuring veteran soldiers and their postwar challenges, is being staged by the HCM City-based Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre. — Photo sggp.org.vn

HCM CITY (VNS) — HCM City theatres are offering a variety of new and interesting shows on soldiers to suit audiences looking for serious topics.

Bravery, love and betrayal are featured in director Tran Ngoc Giau's Chien Binh (The Soldier), a cai luong (reformed opera) play staged by the Tran Huu Trang Cai Luong Theatre.

Attracting young and talented actors, including Que Tran and Le Tu, Chien Binh provides fans with lessons in revolutionary heroism.

The play depicts the life of Sau Thanh (played by Trong Phuc), a war veteran who faces challenges in the postwar period.

Thanh and his close friend, Bay Tan (played by Tu), a soldier who earns a lot of money from his dubious business activities, fight in an underground battle.

"After watching, audiences can see themselves in the characters and find lessons," said the play's director Giau.

The play, with modern light and sound effects, is being staged every weekend at the Opera House in District 1.

Shows at HCM City University of Cinematography and Theatre are more familiar to local students and workers.

This season, the theatre is offering two serious plays, Bong Hong Vang (Golden Rose) and Guong Mat Ke Khac (The Face) at its theatre located in Cong Quynh Street, District 1.

The plays, highlighting soldiers and their challenges in work and family, have been performed every night to the end of July.

For more quiet selections, try the popular stages of the HCM City Drama Theatre in Pham Ngu Lao Street and Sen Viet Stage on Tran Hung Dao Street.

HCM City Drama Theatre performs Vong Xoay Nghiet Nga (The Cruel Circle) while its competitor, Sen Viet Stage, introduces Khong The Khac (Unchangeable), both of which feature war veterans and their problems they face in daily life.

"Unlike other theatres, we decided to stage serious plays this season because we hope through our plays, audiences can be entertained, but also can gain useful lessons," said director Doan Ba of HCM City Drama Theatre.

"Our shows have received a warm response from critics and theatre lovers," he said.

An option is the Thai Nguyen Drama Stage, a leading art troupe of the mountainous province of Thai Nguyen, which recently staged a four-act play on President Ho Chi Minh.

The work Be Phong (Launching Platform) focuses on the life and work of the President in the period of 1963 and 1967 during the American war. It also highlights the President in daily life.

"I wanted to spotlight our leader's remarkable ideas for achieving his country's independence and freedom under so many challenges," said scriptwriter Le Quy Hien, who spent several years writing plays about the President.

"Facing hard challenges, our Uncle Ho always believed in the country's future victory. Although he passed away, his great ideas still live forever," he said.

His previous play on the President, Bac Khong Phai La Vua (I'm Not a King Says President Ho Chi Minh), won top prize for best play presented by the Viet Nam Theatre Artists Association in 2010. — VNS