Tet comedies steal the show

Crowds gathered outside Idecaf Stage in HCMC’s District 1 hours in advance to watch ‘Cau Dong’ (Uncle Dong), a famous play starring comedian Thanh Loc, on Friday.

A “sold-out” sign outside a ticket booth.
Huynh Anh Tuan, director of Idecaf, said it typically stages two plays over six days during the Tet break. Both were “sold-out” this year when sales opened half a month ago.
“We are surprised to see such high attendances, it’s perhaps because the audience has not been to a comedy show for a long time so they reminisce about the atmosphere of a live performance.”

Dao Hiep Thanh, from Binh Tan District, and his mother attended the Friday show.
Even though he had previously seen “Uncle Dong,” he wanted to take his mother to see his favorite play.
“I had to purchase tickets early because they are sold out very quickly during Tet,” he said.

People lined up in front of the entrance area before the show begins.

Comedian Thanh Loc during the show.
The plot is set in the south central region in the early 20th century with Loc playing a monk promoted to become a public figure of the village despite opposition from his wife and children.

More than 330 spectators filled the venue.
Tuan revealed that Idecaf plans to recreate many of its famous plays, saying “this is an opportunity for younger audiences to enjoy many of our classics.”

At 5B Stage on Vo Van Tan Street, a group of comedians perform the skit ‘Suong Qua Xuan’ (Happiness During Spring), its public debut.
My Uyen, one of the performers, said the crew came up with the script and concept one month in advance of Lunar New Year.
She said that besides performing old plays, staff worked hard to create something new to serve the audience during Tet.

Two performers act out a scene from ‘Happiness During Spring’.

The play lasted three hours and ended at 11 p.m.
Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, many viewers said it was their first time seeing a play in nearly a year.

Uyen peeped through a hold backstage.
“With Tet plays, we don’t put too much emphasis on the meaning or life messages, but hope that each performance brings the most laughter to the audience, especially after a very difficult year.”
After a months-long lockdown, cinemas in HCMC and some other places opened in November, 2021.