HCM CITY — A new show of circus and music for children will be staged by Phương Nam Theatre, one of HCM City’s leading private art troupes, this summer.

The variety show, called Ầu Ơ - Thanh Âm Đầu Đời (Ầu Ơ - Lullaby of the South), features more than 40 dancers along with puppet and circus performers. 

It tells the stories of southern people and their history, culture and lifestyle in different periods. 

Phương Nam artists will perform tài tử music, the prototype for vọng cổ (nostalgic tunes) and cải lương (reformed opera) of the South. Folk dances will also be included. 

They will use their art to depict images of beautiful mountains, rivers, green fields, forests, villages and animals. 

The show will highlight special performances of acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists and clowns. 

The show’s directors, People’s Artist Bích Liên, Phi Sơn and Công Nguyễn, have worked to combine different arts of Vietnamese music, dance, circus and puppetry together. 

Beautiful clothes and accessories, and sound and light effects will be used to perfect the show. 

“With this 60-minute show concept, Ầu Ơ - Thanh Âm Đầu Đời, we hope young audiences are entertained and learn more about Vietnamese culture in the South,” said the event’s director Liên. “We hope our creation can enhance children’s love for circus, a very old and unique art form.”

Last year, Phương Nam Theatre offered Ba Tư Huyền Bí (Legendary Persia), a musical based on a Middle Eastern folk tale from the popular 18th century collection of tales called One Thousand and One Nights.

The Vietnamese version features the adventure of Aladdin, a street boy in the Arabian City of Agrabah, and his monkey Abu. 

Ba Tư Huyền Bí featured new concepts and techniques in circus. 

More than 20 artists performed in water in a pool. They delivered images, colours, action and tricks to entertain audiences of all ages. 

Phương Nam Theatre opened in 2019 and has staged many circus shows in musical style with a fresh taste for young audiences. 

The summer show, Ầu Ơ - Thanh Âm Đầu Đời, will be staged every weekend at the HCM City Circus Theatre on Hoàng Minh Giám Street, Gò Vấp District, in May, June and July, starting on May 18.  VNS