OUCRU is proud to announce an exciting new endeavor: educational Science Theatre. These Science Theatre productions are part of a larger project of Public Engagement in Science or Mang Khoa Hoc Den Cong Dong - a community outreach project produced by the Training and Public Engagement Department of Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Vietnam (OUCRU) and sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.

In collaboration with the famous Thai Duong Theatre Company (IDECAF) in HCM city, WT-OUCRU has developed an educational theatre production to be performed at primary and secondary schools in various districts throughout Ho Chi Minh City. Through high quality theatre and drama we aim to highlight important, often difficult, current health and scientific issues and increase understanding in our audiences of children, young people and adults.

The first production, entitled “An Amazing Battle” and starring famous Vietnamese actors such as Dinh Toan and Dai Nghia, is due to premiere just before the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. Incorporating famous Vietnamese folklore characters, such as Ong Dia, the round, happy God of the Earth who symbolizes prosperity and Thanh Giong, a famous mythological Vietnamese warrior, the story illuminates the causes and prevention of bacterial infection and raises awareness about antibiotic resistance.

When a young boy discovers Ong Dia has fallen ill, he and Thanh Giong use magical powers to become microscopic and travel in to the abyss of Ong Dia’s round belly to uncover the mystery of his ailment. With the help of an extremely meticulous doctor and a friendly bacterium the child and Thanh Giong learn about the sources and prevention of bacterial infection, as well as safe treatment methods. But, will they absorb enough information in time to conquer the mischievous bad bacteria and restore Ong Dia back to robust health? Captivated young audiences will be waiting in anticipation for that answer.

The first WT-OUCRU Science Theatre production is running from February to April 2010 and will be held in 25 schools in HCMC, reaching an estimated 25,000 students. A second show will be produced in early 2011. Through this work we hope to raise awareness about health and scientific related issues of relevance to people of all ages, and increase the profile of OUCRU Vietnam within the community that we work.