Hot issue: A scene from a humorous play about traffic safety that has been performed by artists of Hong Van Troupe in different schools in HCM City. — Photo kichhongvan.vn

HCM CITY (VNS)— The short plays of Hong Van Drama Troupe that feature traffic safety have had a rousing reception at schools in HCM City.

The humorous play, performed before 1,700 students at Tran Hung Dao Primary School in District 1 recently, was about eight-year-old Tam's parents, who disobey traffic laws.

Tam's father tells the audience that he often speeds when he drives his motorbike, and he runs red lights whenever he believes there are no police officers in the vicinity.

For his wife's birthday, he gives her a motorbike with a 110 cubic centimetre engine.

Tam's mother doesn't know how to operate a motorbike and doesn't have a driving licence. When she decides to finally drive one day, she suffers serious injuries after colliding with another motorbike.

Throughout the performance the young audience laughed and shouting warnings to the characters such as "Be careful, you are running a red light, " or "You will hit another vehicle".

The enthusiasm of the audience results in a spirited question and answer session between the cast and the spectators.

Each show lasts about 60 minutes with a short play, a game show, and an interaction with an audience and a quiz about traffic laws.

"Traffic safety is a hot issue in our city," said stage manager Le Quoc Nam. "It's not easy to perform ‘message' plays for children."

"The plays need a humorous style and must be easy to understand," Nam said.

Performing in the play, which is part of a programme called Ket Noi Cong Dong (Community Connection), are many popular artists of Hong Van Troupe, including Mai Phuong, Thanh Van, Minh Nhi and Hoa Hiep.

Organisers said that young people would respond more to popular actors on television and stage.

"We welcome the Community Connection programme," said Bui Duy Phuong, the headmaster of Tran Hung Dao Primary School. "Traffic police have many times given talks on traffic laws to students at our school. Students will understand the laws easier with short and humorous plays."

Before Tran Hung Dao School, Hong Van Drama Troupe performed at Viet-My School in Binh Thanh District, Marie Curie Secondary High School and Le Quy Don Secondary High School in District 3.

The Connection Prog-ramme will bring short plays to 30 primary and high schools in the city this year.

"I am going to make new plays about environmental protection, community health and problems related to social culture and behaviour," said Hong Van, manager of the Hong Van Drama Troupe.

"These plays will help young people become more familiar with a wide range of social issues," Van said.

A few years ago, Van's troupe staged at several schools dramas with scripts based on Viet Nam's well-known literary works in the early 20th century. However, the programme ceased after a short period of time due to a funding shortage.

The Community Connection Programme receives assistance from the city's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, the Education and Training Department, HCM City Television and a number of businesses in the city. — VNS