Both comedies and children’s plays will be showcased in HCM City theatres during this week’s Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

The IDECAF theatre performs the play Sat Thu Hai Manh (A Killer in Bikini). The theatre will present three new comedies for the Lunar New Year.

The Anh Duong Entertainment Investment Joint-Stock Co recently opened a new theatre called Giac Mo Hong (Pink Dream) Children Theatre. The theatre is expected to bring something new to children and their parents.

Giac Mo Hong will release their first play, titled Nguu Vuong Dai Nao Nhan Gian (Buffalo King Disturbs the World). Acting in the play will be comedians Tan Beo, Anh Vu and Ngoc Trinh.

The play, directed by Le Hay and Minh Phat, is part of the theatre’s plan to feature a series of musical comedies named Xu So Than Ky (Wonderland).

The play will also be performed at the city circus in District 1’s December 23 Park from January 26 to February 1.

Trong Phuc, a popular singer, co-operated with the city-based Hoang Anh Tu Ltd, Co to open a new theatre, Theatre 179, in District 11. The theatre’s first play will be Sau Luy Tre Lang (Behind the Village’s Bamboo Bushes), directed by Dang Minh.

Young playwright

Despite his youth, 21-year-old comedian Gia Bao is preparing to produce his first play during Tet.

Bao, the grandson of actor Bao Quoc, has gathered many experienced performers, including his grandfather, Ngoc Giau and Trung Dan, to perform in a play called Sui Gia Dai Chien (Fight Between Marriage Allies).

Bao says “I have faced difficulties when producing the play, but I tried my best, because part of the money earned from ticket sales will be donated to the under-privileged.”

The play, which is directed by Tran Ngoc Giau, is expected to bring lots of laughter to audiences in the New Year. It will be performed from January 26 to February 1 at the Ben Thanh Theatre.

Sold out

Huynh Anh Tuan, manager of the mini-theatre at the Institute for Culture Exchange with France (IDECAF), said “We have increased the number of performances of our plays to three a day, but it still does not seem to meet audience demand.”

Most of the tickets for performances scheduled from January 26 to 29 are sold out, he added.

The fame of IDECAF’s drama troupe, which include actors Thanh Loc and Thanh Thuy, is a main reason why audiences are buying up tickets so soon.

Tuan said apart from Sat Thu Hai Manh (A Killer in Bikini), which is attracting a large audience, IDECAF will release three new comedies for the New Year.

Lung Nguoi Trong Mong (Seeking for My Dreamed Lover), written by experienced actor Le Hoang and directed by Thanh Loc, is considered to be the next part of Sat Thu Hai Manh. The producers promise that the show will surprise viewers.

Tickets for the play Ky Nghe Lay Tay (Foreigner Marrying Industry), which is being shown at Phu Nhuan Theatre, are also being sold quickly.

The play is based on a story by writer Vu Trong Phung, who achieved fame through stories that criticised the negative lives of local snobs during the French war.

Co-directed by Hong Van, who is the theatre’s manager, and Minh Hoang, the play features famous comedians Bao Quoc and Minh Nhi, as well as popular male model Binh Minh.

During Tet, the Phu Nhuan Theatre also will release several new plays. However, due to the high number of plays shown there and a lack of space, the theatre will show Ngoi Nha Hoang (Ghost House) at Kim Chau Theatre in District 1.

Cho Em 150 Phut Phieu Luu (Give Me a 150-minute Adventure), which is being performed at the 5B Vo Van Tan mini-theatre, has received a great deal of attention from audiences because it is based on a script by the late talented writer, Luu Quang Vu.

Experienced actress Ai Nhu achieved directorial success with this play about torment, after the show completed its run.

The theatres hope that tickets for comedies will be sold out because they all aim to bring joy to people during Tet.

(Source: VNS)