Stage artists behind the curtain

Behind the bright lights and applause, each stage artist quietly transforms and embellishes himself before stepping onto the stage.

Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh plays National Hero Tran Hung Dao on stage in the cheo play "The Heroic Spirit of Bach Dang River". Photo: DO HIEN

Behind the bright lights and applause, each stage artist quietly transforms and embellishes themselves before stepping onto the stage. They are not only actors, but also artists who portray characters with all their subtlety and passion…

Self-portrait of the role

On the evening of October 8, in the sacred space of Kiep Bac Temple, where incense smoke mingled with the resounding sound of festival drums, the excerpt "The Battle of the People's Hearts" in the Cheo play "The Spirit of Bach Dang Giang" performed by artists and actors of the Cheo Troupe, Hai Phong Traditional Theater left many deep emotions in the hearts of the audience when participating in the 2025 Con Son - Kiep Bac Autumn Festival. But few people know that before the stage lights up, behind the wings is another world - peaceful but urgent, where artists quietly transform themselves into characters with their own hands.

In the yellow light from a small mirror, Meritorious Artist Pham Thi Mai meticulously painted each brush stroke, drawing the characteristic black-dyed teeth of an ancient woman, transforming into the role of a water seller in a cheo play. Her silver hair was neatly combed under a brown scarf, her face simple but still exuded the charm and simplicity of the people of the river region. “Teeth and hair are the corners of a person - if they are a little off, the soul of the role will be lost. I am used to doing everything myself so that when I step onto the stage, I can truly be that character,” she shared in a hurried moment of preparation before the performance.

Not far away, Meritorious Artist Thanh Binh, who plays the role of National Hero Tran Hung Dao, is looking in the mirror, applying powder, adjusting his thick horizontal eyebrows, and his eyes are sharp and tolerant. The solemnity of a wise ruler, the majesty of a commander of an army, all start with the makeup stage. He said: “The role of Saint Tran not only requires performance techniques but also charisma. Makeup is the way to help me get into the character's spirit, to fully feel the character's spirit. I always do my own makeup to maintain that emotional flow...”.

In the narrow space of the backstage, each artist quietly painted their own world. No noise, no bustle, just the concentration, meticulousness and belief of each artist that each layer of powder and lipstick will help them put their soul into the character. And when the opening drum sounded, they stepped out, no longer themselves, but transformed into people of history, of national memory.

Silent stage artist

Stage makeup is not just about applying powder and drawing eyebrows, but is a visual art. Photo: DO TUAN

In traditional art units, artists preparing their own makeup becomes part of their profession - both a responsibility and a source of pride. Makeup on stage is not just about applying powder and drawing eyebrows, but is a visual art. The artist must understand the psychology, personality, social status and age of the character to choose the appropriate shade. A line that is too dark can make the character look fierce, a line that is not bright enough can make the look lose its charm. Therefore, they always learn, observe and practice skillful hands to "draw" the character's soul.

When staging the play "Mission Completed" (November 2024), former Head of the Hai Phong Drama Troupe (now the Drama Troupe of the Hai Phong Traditional Theater) Tran Trung Hieu once revealed: The process of dressing up real characters, especially historical figures such as General Vo Nguyen Giap or President Ho Chi Minh, is extremely difficult. Dressing up the role of Uncle Ho is considered one of the biggest challenges in historical theater. Because Uncle Ho is not only a respected character but also a familiar model in the public's mind, if the makeup, beard, hair, skin color, facial features... are not really delicate, it will easily create a feeling of awkwardness or strangeness.

Unlike modern stages with professional makeup teams, when touring, artists often have to take care of everything themselves. They bring powder boxes, brushes, wigs, beards, and even make their own wax to create the right look. Many times, backstage is just a small corner behind the stage, an old mirror and a weak light bulb, yet the artists still passionately paint portraits of hundreds of different characters.

Makeup work requires meticulousness and a deep love for the job. Because just one mistake can make the role lose its authenticity. But it is in those quiet moments that the artist finds joy - creating the character's appearance with their own hands, so that when they step into the light, they shine with their own sweat, effort and love for the job.

Makeup is therefore not only a skill but also a part of the soul of the stage, helping artists "transform" from real life to role, from ordinary people to characters, from the present to the past. And behind each layer of makeup is a story of silent dedication - of people who still silently keep the flame of traditional art alive in the new era.

When the curtain closes, the audience remembers the character, and the artists remember the moment they looked in the mirror - where they lived, believed, and poured their hearts into the role. They are storytellers not only with their songs and eyes, but also with their passionate drawings - the silent artists of the stage.

SEA COUNTY

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/nghe-si-san-khau-sau-canh-man-nhung-523703.html