Carmine & Indigo

Behind the curtains, where lines can be heard recited, costumes being fitted and shades of carmine to indigo mask the faces of the actors.

Phuc Nguyen’s visually striking portraits of a hát bội troupe off stage give us a glimpse into the ancient and, sadly, dying artform.

Hát bội, believed to have originated in the 13th century, is a form of Vietnamese theatre incorporated with traditional music, choreography, poetry and singing. Storylines range from historical retellings of national heroes to legendary and fantastical folklores. The dramatic make-up colours worn by the actors are not merely decorative, but rather indicative of the characters’ personalities. Red is usually worn by the heroic and dignified while green is often reserved for the disloyal.

Featured on ig_vietnam by Vietnam Sans Frontières