Vıetnam Feature Package Tuong Theatre

epa02177287 Musicians perform Tuong traditional music at the Vietnam National Tuong Theatre in Hanoi, Vietnam 27 May 2010. It is believed that Tuong theatre was imported from China around the 13th century when Vietnam was warring against the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Later, it developed from being entertainment for the royal court to being performed for commonerspeasants by traveling troupes. The stories in Tuong tend to be historicaloften focus on the rules of social decorum. Legends from either the history if China or Vietnam are re-enacted. Tuong employs the use of stock characters who are recognizable from their make upcostumes, which are typically very elaborateextravagant. The Vietnam National Tuong Theatre was established in 1959 with only 19 artistsofficials. Nowadays nearly 200 officialsartists work at the theatre with productions also presented in the country's provinces.  EPA/LUONG THAI LINH