HCM CITY — Theatres in HCM City are striving to hold a variety of shows to serve loyal audiences after closing for over nine months due to COVID-19. 

For comedy fans, the Small Drama Theatre on Võ Văn Tần Street in District 3 has offered a special series called Sưong Qua Xuan (Spring of Joy), consisting of two comedies Tạm Biet Thần Men (Goodbye to God of Wine) and Sui Gia Đối Đầu (In-laws Conflict),

The plays on family issues feature veteran and young actors like Mỹ Uyen, Tuấn Kiet and Tuyền Mập.

Meritorious Artist Mỹ Uyen, the theatre’s director, said: “Sưong Qua Xuan focuses on entertainment, aiming to provide many laughs and a lot of joy after facing a very tough year.”

The series have been staged every night since Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays.

The Thế Gioi Trẻ (Youth World) Theatre, which is popular among students and young people, have also staged a new comedy Bật Cong Tắc La Yeu (Love Switch), focusing on messages about love.

The play attracts actors who graduated from the city's University of Theatre and Cinematography.

According to the theatre, they intended to premiere the play for 2021 Tết holiday, but had to delay for a year due to the COVID pandemic. 

The theatre has also presented drama Bao Giờ Mẹ Lấy Chồng (When Does Mom Get Married?), which won the best play prize at the 2021 Southern Drama Festival.

The play is a production by young director Ngọc Hung, with actors Diễm Phương, Anh Tu and Quang Tuấn, graduates of the University of Theatre and Cinematography.

Popular stages like Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Club in District 10 and Phu Nhuận Drama Theatre in District Phu Nhuận District have performed their favourite plays.

Hoang Thai Thanh Drama Club’s Tình Yeu Trời Đanh (From Hate to Love), one of the theatre’s most popular works, features two haters who learn to admit their true love for one another.

The leading characters are played by Meritorious Artist Hồng Ánh and actor Trí Quang.  

Tình Yeu Trời Đanh was first staged for Tết in 2020, and became the theatre’s highest-grossing production at that time.

Phu Nhuận Drama Club has introduced comedy Than Sau Hồn Bưom (Caterpillar to Butterfly) and horror play Ngoi Nha Tren Thuyền (The House on the Boat), attracting thousands of viewers.

For fans of cải lương (reformed opera), the Trần Hữu Trang Cải Lương Theatre has hosted a special show Nghe Sĩ Mừng Xuan (Spring Festival Celebration), featuring extracts from famous cải lương plays.

The performances attract veteran artists like People’s Artist Mỹ Hằng and Minh Hoang, along with young performers Võ Thanh Phe, Kim Luận and Nguyễn Văn Khởi, winners of TV show about cải lương called Chuong Vang Vọng Cổ (Golden Bell) launched by the HCM City Television.

The theatre restaged plays Đua Con Họ Trieu (The Trieu’s Son) during Tết, and will present Tiếng Trống Me Linh (The Sound of Me Linh Drum) on February 12.

The Chí Linh - Van Ha Theatre will also premiere cải lương play Lương Sơn Ba - Chuc Anh Đai (Butterfly Lovers) on February 12.

The play will see the comeback of Meritorious Artist and cải lương star Vũ Linh, who became famous in the 1970s and won many top prizes at national theatre festivals and contests.

Meritorious Artist Van Ha, the theatre's owner, said: "We are honoured to have Vũ Linh in our play. His presence will motivate young actors to further their career."

Lương Sơn Ba - Chuc Anh Đai will take place at 8pm at the HCM City Opera House, 7 Lam Sơn Square in District 1. VNS