"Odd Couple" attracts English drama lovers

ISHCMC High School Stage with the play "The Odd Couple"

On the evening of April 24, at the stage of ISHCMC High School (Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City), IMAGINARIUM Company introduced to the audience the play "The Odd Couple" - a delicate comedy about friendship, sympathy and the journey of healing after divorce.

In modern life, when relationships are easily broken by pressure and differences, "The Odd Couple" - a play adapted from the author

When two worlds collide in one apartment

The play centers on Olive Madison, a free-spirited, free-spirited and somewhat messy woman, and Florence Unger, a typical housewife, who is orderly and disciplined to the point of stress. The two women, two extremes of personality, are destined to live together after Florence falls into crisis due to the breakdown of her marriage after 14 years.

Neil Simon's acclaimed film, directed by Naimo Thompson, tells a simple yet profound story about friendship, acceptance and healing.

Starting with a weekend get-together at Olive’s apartment, when the group is shocked to learn that Florence has gone missing after splitting from her husband – and then witness her return with signs of mental instability – the story gradually reveals the silent wounds of the breakup. Olive invites Florence to live with her as a way to pull her out of the depths of sadness. But the contrast in the smallest habits – from the tablecloth to the way the kitchen is cleaned – makes the apartment a silent battlefield of two personalities.

The two main actresses of the play "The Odd Couple"

However, these conflicts did not lead to a breakup, but were instead catalysts for the two to learn to listen, understand, and sympathize. From there, their friendship gradually became a refuge – imperfect, but sincere and healing.

Friendship – medicine for broken hearts

The special thing about "The Odd Couple" is not only its intelligent and humorous script, but also the way the play touches on very real emotions: the loneliness of a woman after divorce, the confusion of losing direction, and the desire to share and be understood.

The teachers acted very delicately.

The message of friendship in the play is not flowery or idealized. It comes from very ordinary things – a dinner accidentally cooked too salty, a towel not hung in the right place, a reproach uttered in anger. But from there, friendship becomes more real, more precious.

It doesn't demand sameness, but invites acceptance and tolerance. And in the cramped space of an apartment, the two women gradually realize: they don't need to be alike to be able to rely on each other.

A comedy with emotional depth

Under the direction of Naimo Thompson, the play is not pushed into tragedy or dramatized. The comedic situations are handled rhythmically and gracefully, making the audience laugh but at the same time "silent" when realizing themselves in them.

The valuable point is the subtle and genuine performance of the English teachers – non-professionals but acting with sincere emotions and real-life experiences, making each line come alive and close.

Plays written and performed by students at ISHCMC High School

A journey of healing – with companionship, without judgment

"The Odd Couple" ends not with a flashy ending, but with a very small peace: two opposite people accept each other, together continuing on the journey to overcome the brokenness.

It's a poignant lesson for anyone who has ever walked away from a broken relationship – that the most valuable thing is not who will replace the past, but who will walk with us through the present, in understanding and compassion.

The actors participating in the play are teachers from ISHCMC High School - Ho Chi Minh City.

People's Artist Tran Ngoc Giau - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association commented: "It's just a play performed in schools, but the teachers invested very seriously, showing that the trend of staging English plays is being taken care of by schools.

This opens up a new definition of school theater in Ho Chi Minh City, which is teachers and students doing plays together. This play has all the costumes, props, sound, lighting... made by both teachers and students and the story content has profoundeducational value."

The Arts Council of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City commented that the play "The Strange Couple" is easy to watch, but not easy to forget. It is not only a play to laugh at, but also to think about - about friendship, about women, and about the ability to love again after a breakup.

In a world where differences often lead to division, this play reminds us that empathy is the bridge that brings people closer together.

This play will continue to be performed until April 27 at ISHCMC High School stage (Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/cap-doi-ky-la-thu-hut-khan-gia-yeu-kich-anh-ngu-196250425075753814.htm