Members of “Nhung nguoi ban” (Friends) during one of their ‘living statue’ performances

Encased in wax and paint, a troupe of performing artists use a form of mime to entrance their audiences.

Human statues have a long history in the European street theater tradition. Silent human statues pose in many parks and gardens in European countries, busking for money by exercising physical patience and control that rivals a yogi or an elite athlete.

Often painted in monochrome, the human statues remain motionless but can surprise their audience by suddenly springing to life.

These figures of intrigue and beauty have recently come to Vietnam.

Four months ago, a group of six students from the Ho Chi Minh City College of Theater and Cinema formed a group called “Nhung nguoi ban” (Friends).

It was not easy in the beginning, but the group has been keeping theater-lovers on their toes. Their original performances are becoming increasingly popular on the arts scene.

Bao Toan, a senior student majoring in makeup, wanted to create something innovative after watching dances and enthralling human statue performances by a local company, Tao Xanh (Green apples).

He came up with a new art form that features living statues in a musical and discussed the idea with some of his friends.

The performers are encased in wax and colored powder to make them appear like statues. They give “body language performances” to semi-classical background music. Their performances are a kind of mime, which blends pantomime, installation and statue-like makeup – but no spoken language – and their scripts are inspired by fairy tales and historical stories or are their own creations.

Toan said the other group members used to complain that they felt itchy all over when wearing the expensive makeup, which was difficult to remove.

Promoting the group was a huge challenge. Toan sent photographs of the group’s poses everywhere, hoping to attract people to their performances. He had to work hard to convince theater owners to hire the group.

“We named our group ‘Nhung nguoi ban,’ as only like-minded friends can stand by each other to overcome such difficulties,” one group member said.

“Without the love for the art, we couldn’t accept its strangeness or cope with the initial difficulties we encountered,” he added.

The group now has more than 12 members and has a welcome mat out for anyone who wants to get involved.

Their performances used to be as short as 90 seconds, but now they have longer, more intriguing performances in their repertoire, including 60-minute historical plays.

“Few believe we can succeed,” said Toan, the group’s makeup artist, idea man and director.

They have had some memorable experiences during their performances.

“Curious spectators touch us, mischievous ones even pinch us to see how we react. Kids look at us dumbfounded, some yell or even try to make us laugh,” Toan said.

The tableau vivant, or group of living statues, was a regular feature of medieval and Renaissance festivities and pageantry, such as royal entries by rulers into cities.

Source: Tuoi Tre