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Tuong masks are displayed in Thong’s house. Photo H.T |
Anyone who visits Huu Thong, an artist of Dao Tan Tuong (classical drama) Theatre, will be surely impressed by 100 Tuong masks hung on the wall in his house. Each has its own appearance.
Thong has been attracted by the appearance of characters in Tuong since he became an artist 20 years ago. He is, therefore, determined to learn how to make Tuong masks, aiming to keep unique features of Tuong art.
Oten, after Thong wears stage make-up to prepare for a play , he looks in the mirror and draws his new appearance on a piece of paper.
He drew the facial appearance of characters he performed on face-shaped patterns out of clay. In 1996, when going to Da Nang, he had a chance to learn more from Vinh Hue who has studied Tuong mask for years.
He was then presented a book on principles in Tuong performance. Thanks to the book, Thong decided to create 100 Tuong masks by using plaster.
He bought a bag of plaster and poured it into moulds to make 100 masks. Since then, Thong has gradually drawn facial appearance of all hot-tempered characters in plays.
“The make-up of characters in Tuong art is various because one character many have difference faces depending on each region,” said Thong. “I mainly make Tuong masks of plays performed in Binh Dinh.”
Whenever having free time, he draws Tuong masks until the wall in his house has been covered with 100 masks. He has drawn the facial appearance of most characters in Dao Tan’s plays and each has its own feature.
It was not only a hobby but a study on the make-up of characters in Tuong art, he added. At present, Thong has been learning how to make Tuong masks in plays performed in Southern region.
“I intend to make all kinds of Tuong masks used in three regions,” he said. “Also, I’ve been trying to make masks of well-known characters in Chinese opera.”
Thanks to his collection of Tuong masks, many students and researchers could known more about the stage make-up.
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