Last week, my husband, kids and I attended the A O Show in Saigon’s historic Opera House. Combining modern dance, acrobatics, balancing acts and a contemporary interpretation of traditional Vietnamese music, this exciting show depicts urban and rural life in Vietnam. Using only their bodies, bamboo poles, rattan baskets, and a bicycle, the show’s energetic performers portrayed everything from fishermen in bamboo coracles to scrabbling crabs to hectic city traffic.
About five minutes into the show, my son, who is six, stood up in the dead-quiet Opera House and yelled: “It’s AMAZING! They’re so TALENTED!” While I hurriedly hushed him, I had to agree. The show’s choreography was clever and surprisingly funny; the performers brilliant and professional; and the live music captivating. Even my daughter, who’s just four, was mesmerized for the full hour, while an elderly man sitting nearby kept laughing out loud and clapping.
The show lived up to its name, which comes from the sounds people make when they’re amazed - Ahhhh! Ohhhhh! Vietnam should be really proud of this well-thought-out and performed production. To get a sense of the show, check out their trailer