Children's stage in summer 2026:

To welcome summer 2026, many art organizations in Hanoi are simultaneously bringing to the stage unique works for young audiences. Although the number of new plays is not yet large, the art organizations have strived to innovate their approach, increase interaction, and invest in experiences to bring children back to the theatrical space amidst the digital entertainment age.

A scene from the play "Pinocchio - The Wooden Boy" performed by the Youth Theatre. Photo: Youth Theatre .

Unleash a vibrant world of fairy tales.

The Youth Theatre is the most active theatre company this summer, continuously introducing many new works. The play "Cinderella - The Glass Slipper" brings the familiar fairy tale closer to today's children through a modern storytelling approach. Youthful music, lively choreography, a multi-tiered stage, and modern lighting effects make the performance rhythmic and enhance audience interaction.

Director Nguyen Thuy Hang shared that the team wanted to create a Cinderella character who is proactive, optimistic, and knows how to seize her own happiness instead of just waiting for a miracle. Children today need positive role models who are resilient and capable of inspiring others through their actions.

After enjoying the play "Cinderella and the Glass Slipper," young audience member Nguyen Minh Chau (Cau Giay ward) proudly shared: "I liked watching Cinderella because it was colorful, the music was cheerful, and it gave me the feeling of living in a real fairy tale world."

Another play by the Youth Theatre, "Pinocchio - The Wooden Boy," opens with an emotionally rich adventure and lessons about honesty, love, and the journey of growing up. Based on the famous work of the Italian writer Carlo Collodi (1826-1890), the performance is staged in a modern style with vibrant stage effects, music, and dance to suit a family audience.

The Vietnam Circus Federation continues to captivate audiences with its circus performance "A Fairy Tale Dream 2026." The show takes children on an adventure with familiar superheroes in a world of fantasy. On a brightly lit circular stage, circus acts, acrobatics, and visual effects are combined to delight and amaze the audience. Through the battle between light and darkness, the work conveys a message of courage, unity, and faith in goodness.

The Vietnam Puppet Theatre presents the program "Andersen's Fairy Tales," featuring classic stories like "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling." The creative team combines traditional puppetry techniques with modern music and lighting to create a colorful fairytale atmosphere. The restrained dialogue, enhanced body language, and puppet movements make the work accessible to children while still evoking strong emotions in adults. The Vietnam National Drama Theatre brings back the folk comedy "Nghêu, Sò, Ốc, Hến" (Clams, Snails, and Mussels). With its wit, satire, and strong traditional elements, the performance helps students further appreciate Vietnamese folk theatre...

Efforts to attract young audiences to the stage.

This year, the number of new theatrical productions is still limited. Therefore, most theaters have chosen to revive or modernize existing works that have a strong presence in their repertoire, focusing on audience experience, approach, and direct interaction. Many theaters proactively organize post-performance interactions, allowing children to audition, meet artists, or tour the backstage area. With the "Listen to the Profession, Audition" program, the Youth Theater and a group of students from the Academy of Journalism and Communication created opportunities for children to directly embody characters, practice their lines, and interact with artists.

People's Artist Nguyen Tien Dung, Director of the Vietnam Puppet Theatre, believes that children today have more entertainment choices, so the stage must innovate to retain audiences. A work for children needs to be both visually appealing and maintain emotional depth and educational value.

Director Nguyen Thuy Hang also acknowledges that the stage today must compete with the digital world. Therefore, the creative team is innovating the language of expression, from music, lighting, and visual arts to storytelling, so that children feel the stage is truly alive.

After years of effort to attract young audiences, the Vietnam Circus Federation has recently collaborated with numerous organizations both within and outside the industry to expand its reach and create more experiential activities outside the stage. People's Artist Tong Toan Thang, Director of the Vietnam Circus Federation, noted that children's art should be viewed as a long-term cultural education activity, not just a seasonal one.

From the perspective of the management agency, People's Artist Nguyen Xuan Bac, Director of the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), emphasized that performing arts units today need to proactively seek out audiences instead of waiting for audiences to come to them. Expanding methods of reaching the public and strengthening cooperation with businesses is a necessary direction in the new context, in line with the spirit of Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW dated January 7, 2026, of the Politburo on the development of Vietnamese culture. When culture is placed on par with the economy, the support of social resources will contribute to providing performing arts with more conditions for creativity and development.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/san-khau-thieu-nhi-he-2026-lam-moi-cach-tiep-can-tang-trai-nghiem-976401.html