Culture - Sports

Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical

Dozens of primary and secondary students in Hanoi danced, sang in English and played roles in the world-acclaimed “Matilda the Musical” on the stage in Hanoi on July 24.
Phương Vũ
Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical ảnh 1Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Dozens of primary and secondary students in Hanoi danced, sang inEnglish and played roles in the world-acclaimed “Matilda the Musical” on thestage in Hanoi on July 24.

The performancewas the first part of a two-night run of the musical, an initiative aiming to allowHanoi kids to enjoy the Broadway-style entertainment while learning some skills.
The project wasinspired by the award-winning “Matilda the Musical” performed byBritish students.

The Vietnameseversion of Matilda the Musical, also based on the 1988 children’s novel ofthe same name by Roald Dahl, has a new script and music written byHanoian artists.

Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical ảnh 2Children perform in the show (Photo: VNA)

It featuresMatilda, a school girl with the gift of telekinesis, who helps her classmatesget rid of their evil headmaster who made their school like a jail.
Nguyen HoangTung, the scriptwriter ofthe show, talked about the challenges and delight in working with amateur kidactors over the past five months.

“They had noacting experience at all,” Tung said, adding many were shy, while others hadpoor English capability.

The crew facedchallenges in instructing the kids how to act, dance and sing in English. However,they learned fast and gained confidence on the stage.

Tung hoped thatthe show would be a beginning for the development of the professional musicalsin Vietnam.
Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical ảnh 3The kids act, dance, sing in English (Photo: VNA)

JohanetteCorlia Pelser, English language coach of the show, expressed her surprise atthe development of the kids in both acting and English language skills.

“The show willblow people’s minds. The kids are performing like adults,” Pelser said.

She also describedthe show as a fun break for the kids from their busy schedules with traditionaland extra classes.

“I could see Hanoikids were so busy with their sport, piano, or English classes,” she said,adding that the show was a great experience for them to have fun together andlearn acting skills as well as some English.
Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical ảnh 4Vu Minh Chau stars Matilda (Photo: VNA)

Vu Minh Chau,11, starred as Matilda and expressed her happiness to be on stage, saying that theexperience helps her feel confident.

Meanwhile, MaiBui Phuong Linh, also 11, who played the headmaster said she loves the practicetime with the crew.

“I hope thatthere will be more musical programmes in the future as this is a veryinteresting way for us kids to play and learn English,” Linh said.
Hanoi kids perform Matilda the Musical ảnh 5Mai Bui Phuong Linh stars the headmaster (Photo: VNA)

The musical isperformed by sixty children, aged between 8 and 16, dividing into two troupes.

The second troupewill perform on the night of July 25 at the Tuoi Tre (Youth) Theatre,11 Ngo Thi Nham street, Hanoi.-VNA
VNA
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