VietNamNet Bridge – HCM City theatres promise a variety of new and interesting shows this Tet to suit audiences of varying musical and dramatic tastes. 

New and old: Veterans and young artists of HCM City Drama Theatre are preparing for big shows to celebrate the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. Photo courtesy of the producer

For comedy fans, the The Gioi Tre (World of Youth) Drama Club on Cong Quynh Street in District 1 will offer a special series of three comedies each night from this weekend to February 25.   

Bao Gio Me Lay Chong (When Mom Gets Married), Tinh Ky Nu (Love Story) and Su Gia Thien Duong (Messenger from Heaven) has attracted young actors from the HCM City University of Theatre and Cinematography. The plays focus on messages about love and youth.  

“We decided to stage comedies during Tet because people want to be entertained and forget their problems after a year of hard work. To attract young audiences, our actors will perform with sound and light effects on a modern stage," said Bui Quoc Bao, the club’s art director.

“We hope our shows will show good profits during the year’s biggest business season,” he added. 

Bao’s club spent more than VND5 billion (US$220,000) to upgrade its theatre.  

Another option for laughs is Tham Tu Si Tinh (Detective in Love) staged by the IDECAF Drama Stage. Directed by young talent Vu Minh, the play focuses on lessons about love and family in urban life. Famous comedians Thanh Loc and Le Khanh will be featured.  

For more quiet selections, try the popular stages of HCM City Drama Theatre on Vo Van Tan Street in District 3 and Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Club on Bac Hai Street in District 10. Both are popular with local students and workers.

The HCM City Drama Theatre is performing Hem Nho Sai Gon (Alley in Sai Gon), a drama directed by People’s Artist Tran Ngoc Giau.

Hem Nho Sai Gon highlights the lifestyle of Saigonese women and men who live on a small alley. They talk and share stories about life, love and money on Lunar New Year’s Eve.    

The show’s young actors Mai Phuong, Anh Tuan and Le Vinh will dance and sing cai luong (reformed opera).

"Through our show, audiences can laugh but also can gain useful lessons. We hope our creative approach toward the play will provide a relaxing and humorous evening for audiences during Tet,” said the play’s director Giau, who has more than 60 years of experience in the industry.

Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Club’s Giac MongVang Son (Big Dream) portrays the changes in traditional values related to culture and lifestyles. The leading characters are played by veteran actors Tuyet Thu, Quang Thao and Quoc Thinh.

All of the new plays begin performances on February 12. 

Fans of music should head to the HCM City Youth Cultural House on Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1.

The house will stage a free outdoor concert, Cung Chuc Tan Xuan (Celebrating New Spring) on Lunar New Year’s Eve, February 15.   

The event includes various songs, dances, circuses and fashion shows, attracting more than 50 singers, dancers and the pop bands LipB and Uni5.

More than 5,000 people are expected to join the show.

Whatever your tastes, HCM City’s theatres guarantee an entertaining new year.

Source: VNS