VietNamNet Bridge – Children in Ha Noi and HCM City are spoilt for choice on International Day for Children (June 1) with theatres announcing a slew of new shows.

Beginning today, Ha Noi's Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre in Ngo Thi Nham Street will stage daily a variety show, Ngoi Nha Cua Be (House of Children), featuring circus and drama performances, actors, dancers, and comedians like Nguyet Hang and Duc Thinh.

It will be a montage of music, dance, pantomime, and jugglery and acrobatics, and hopes to attract more than 5,000 children during its run until June 15.

Au Co Performance Centre in Huynh Thuc Khang Street has unveiled a circus-drama show titled Bay Vien Ngoc Rong (Seven Dragon Stone) starring comedians Xuan Bac and Tu Long.

It is about a boy and his groups of animals who believe in love and try to help others, having magical adventures and overcoming obstacles in the process.

The Ha Noi Cheo (Traditional Opera) Theatre's Qua Tao Than (Magic Apple), a comedy based on a legend, features Minh Vuong, Quoc Anh, and Thu Huyen.

The play began last week at the Dai Nam Theatre in Hue Street.

"We've worked hard to produce a quality show for children with an interesting cast of good and bad characters," Vuong said.

Vuong said theatre designers and sound and light technicians have worked to bring a joyful element to the show through colourful costumes and other props.

In HCM City, the Circus Theatre and the Puppet Troupe have pooled their talents to create a show featuring dance, circus, and puppetry.

The show will be staged every night at 23-9 Park in District 1 until June 5.

The newly opened Kim Chau Theatre on Nguyen Thai Binh Street, District 1, has brought in young actors from Dong Au Cai Luong Troupe for a show called Tran Quoc Toan-Tieu Anh Hung Nam Quoc (Little Hero Tran Quoc Toan).

It combines cai luong (reformed theatre) by Le Nhu, Nha Thi, and Minh Truong with modern music and dance.

Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Troupe based in Le Quy Don Street, District 3, has lined up a show that is slightly more solemn despite featuring famous comedians Thanh Hoi, Ai Nhu, Kim Hien, The Son, and Quoc Thinh. Chu Kien Lac Loai (The ant lives alone in a strange land), based on traditional stories, provides young audiences messages about life and education.

It opened yesterday, May 29, and will be staged every weekend.

Another option for laughs is at IDECAF in Thai Van Lung Street, District 1, which has become famous for its children's plays.

Anly va Than Bang Gia (Anly and Ice Goddess), which tells about Anly - a girl who is captured to live in the world reigned by Ice Goddess - is expected to be a hit.

"As usual, we have been busy creating good shows for Children's Day," Thanh Loc, art director of IDECAF, said. "We want young audiences to be both entertained and educated."

Loc believed that a quality play can teach children more than any serious admonition. "We hope parents and teachers will support children seeking to love and learn about theatre."

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News