Traditional music, arts loses traction

Traditional Vietnamese music and theatre is losing popularity among urban kids, mostly because of the poor quality of children’s programmes on offer both on stage and television.
Theatre director Hoang Duan, head of the HCM City Theatre’s performance office, spoke candidly about the dozens of theatres that offer entertainment programmes for children: "Many of these shows too often have poor stage design, lighting, and costumes, which translates into boredom for audiences."
TV channels and amusement places are dominated by programmes meant for adults. Even the few shows meant for children are performed by amateurs.
Duan said music and theatre are an intrinsic part of the human spirit, and children "cannot grow without a knowledge of and love for the arts."
Ho Van Thanh, art director of the HCM City Circus Theatre, agreed: "Through music and theatre, young people will be able to learn about the world, people, and culture." Making a show for children is a difficult task, he said. "We face many challenges while making shows for children. One reason is we do not have enough money while a quality programme should have beautiful costumes and light and sound effects."
Every year Thanh’s theatre puts up three variety shows for urban children. For those in rural and remote areas, it provides simple performances featuring just a few items of music, dance, puppetry, and circus.
"We need to find suitable ways to pitch cultural and entertainment programmes to children who love and need the art," Thanh said.
Since 2000 the city government has been increasing support for children’s cultural activities, especially music and dance performances. Thanks to this, many private art troupes have been offering young audiences both modern and traditional shows.
The city has also added traditional music and theatre to the secondary school curriculum. Huynh Anh Tuan, director of the Thai Duong Theatre&Art Company, who has more than 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, said shows for children need professional organisers, producers, and stage managers who would attract audiences with their stagecraft.
He and his close friend, theatre artist/director Thanh Loc, made something of a name for themselves with a long-running programme for children called Ngay Xua Ngay Xua (Once Upon a Time) performed by artists from the IDECAF Stage.
Since debuting in 1997, the programme has staged 40 comedies and serious plays for 700,000 children and their parents besides 35,000 disadvantaged kids living in centres for disabled people.
"Our experienced artists’ range of talent covers music and dance, puppetry, circus, and pantomime," Tuan said.
His company hopes soon to have its own theatre equipped with the latest sound and light equipment he said, adding "We need more support from the city government."
Tuan’s artists now perform in a small theatre at the Institute of Cultural Exchange with France, or IDECAF, on Thai Van Lung Street, District 1.
They also tour to schools and cultural houses around the city.