Loving traditional Vietnamese opera in the way of Nguyen Tan Dong

Having dedicated nearly 30 years to the art of traditional Vietnamese opera, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong (Da Nang Traditional Arts Theatre) has gradually established his reputation.

Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong instructs young artists on painting the faces of traditional Vietnamese opera performers. Photo: NGOC HA.

It is the result of months of hard work, sweat, and tears, and the culmination of an intense love for the traditional art of Quang Nam province.

Embarking on a career in theater

Graduating from the Da Nang College of Culture and Arts (now Da Nang College) in 1997, young artist Nguyen Tan Dong joined the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre with many ambitions.

“I love traditional Vietnamese opera very much, I'm fascinated by it. Seeing the teachers and senior actors perform, I thought I could do it right away. But that wasn't the case. I used to sit backstage and learn, then the teachers would guide me, correct my movements, and I gradually practiced and accumulated experience. There were times when I wanted to quit because I felt I wasn't suited for the profession, that I couldn't keep up. But once you love something, you can't let go, so you just keep going,” shared Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong.

After more than 10 years in the profession, artist Nguyen Tan Dong was given his first role "named in the script," even if only an excerpt, which was considered a major turning point in his career. Although trained to play positive roles, he played villainous characters very well and found his calling in this type of character. The encouragement and support from colleagues and audiences were his driving force.

Looking back now, he is proud that although he wasn't the main lead, he was chosen to be typecast in villainous roles. These villainous characters had ample screen time, diverse personalities, and rich nuances, giving him the opportunity to showcase his unique acting skills and fully immerse himself in the character. His tireless efforts in his profession earned him the title of Meritorious Artist in 2023.

An Apsara dance performance at the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre. Photo: VL

Quietly preserving the craft within the craft.

Besides his tireless dedication to his roles, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong is also loved by his colleagues and young artists for his meticulous attention to makeup for traditional Vietnamese opera.

According to Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong, in traditional Vietnamese opera (tuong), makeup is not simply about beautifying the character, but rather a system of theatrical symbols that has been shaped over many generations. Just by looking at the colors, facial features, or beard style, the audience can recognize whether a character is a loyal minister, a treacherous minister, or a military general. For example, classic characters like Kim Lan, Dao Tam Xuan, Cao Hoai Duc, or Linh Ta all have their own makeup patterns that have been studied and preserved by previous generations.

“The teachers of the past studied it very carefully. Now, just trying to maintain accuracy and beauty is already difficult. Even so, within that standard, there is still the unique mark of each artist. The same type of role can be handled differently by each person depending on their face, eyes, or the brushstrokes when applying makeup. Ten people playing Linh Tá will have ten different styles. The common elements must be preserved, but the essence lies with the actor,” explained Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong.

Throughout his many years in the arts, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong has quietly preserved his "craft within the craft"—the technique of creating beards for characters in traditional Vietnamese opera. On stage, he transforms into a diverse range of roles with his skill and performance technique. Behind the spotlight, those hands patiently weave each strand of beard, meticulously attending to every small detail. Because in the art of Vietnamese opera, a beard is not just a prop but also a "visual language," contributing to the expression of the character's temperament: loyal or treacherous, strong or gentle, righteous or evil.

According to him, stage props not only serve the purpose of a performance but are also connected to the spirit and history of each character. "The man with the long beard must have the exact same long beard, the general must have the exact same general. There can be no confusion," affirmed Meritorious Artist Nguyen Tan Dong.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/yeu-tuong-theo-cach-cua-nguyen-tan-dong-3336917.html