A rehearsal of the operetta “The sound of the grassland”. (Photo credit: Organizing Board)

The operetta’s 200 performers combine ballet, modern dance, and music. Casting the leading roles required three rounds of audition. In addition to acting ability, the leads needed to be able to perform ballet, sing, dance hip hop, and play the drums. The stage design, musical arrangement, and costumes were all done by children between 2 and 10 years old.

The stage set represents a grassland where different kinds of animals and insects live. When summer arrives, it is time for the animals to sing and join a chorus.

“‘The sound of the grassland’ lasts 60 to 75 minutes. The characters include fireflies, a frog, crickets, a mouse, an elephant, and a hippo, which are familiar to the children. Each character has his own story with a moral,” said Huyen Thanh, the general director of the production.

The performers work very hard to make the operetta a success. (Photo credit: Organizing Board)

Many children had to overcome shyness to shine in the spotlight. It was an opportunity for them to unleash their creativity in an ambience of music, poetry, and drama.

“I’m so happy to be part of this show. This is the role I’ve always longed for,” said 7-year-old Nguyen Ha Phuong, a member of the cast.

Ha Thu, the show’s musical director, said she hopes “The sound of the grassland” will inspire the children to explore the lives of the animals of the grasslands.
“It is an adventure of the natural world for children to explore,” she said.