Cross-cultural: Comedy actress Hong Van performs in Ky Nghe Lay Tay. — VNS Photo Hoang Thuan

HCM CITY (VNS)— A play depicting love, jealousy and betrayal, written by Vu Trong Phung, one of Viet Nam's leading writers in the 1930s, will be staged in California, US tomorrow.

The tragi-comedy Ky Nghe Lay Tay (How to Get Married to a Foreigner) will be staged by actors of Phu Nhuan Troupe, one of HCM City's private drama troupes.

It is directed by Minh Hoang and Hong Van, a well-known comedic actor and theatre director who owns the Phu Nhuan Troupe.

The plot involves the loss of many traditional values related to family and love in a colonial and semi-feudal society in the 1930s.

"We are looking forward to bringing the genius of Phung to young generations.

"His themes are intensely human, timeless and relevant in any time and culture," said Van.

Van said she and her staff had worked hard to incorporate simple and humorous language to meet the tastes of their audiences in California.

The play featuring young and promising talents is presented at the 650-seat Saigon Performing Arts Centre in Fountain Valley, which re-opened in 2010 after an upgrade.

The show is part of Phu Nhuan's first official tour to the US. "Each of our talented young actors is a star in the making," said Van.

"They bring an energy and passion to their performances, which is extraordinary in people so young.

"I hope they show an ability and originality beyond their years."

Ky Nghe Lay Tay has remained virtually unchanged since it was written by Phung around 1934, a measure of the play's enduring power as a study of human nature. — VNS