Lao She (1899-1966) was born of Manchu descent in Beijing. His father, who was a guard soldier, died in a street battle during the Boxer uprising. Fatherless since early childhood, Lao She worked his way through Peking Teacher’s College. After graduation he supported himself and his mother through a series of teaching and administrative post. He served as a principal of an elementary school at the age of 17, and later he was a district supervisor. Lao She spent the years from 1924 to 1929 in London, where he taught Chinese at the School of Oriental and African Studies. By reading among others the novels of Charles Dickens, Lao She improved his English, and decided to start his fist novel.
Category: Chinese Opera
Chinese Opera Artists – Huang Zuolin: Master of Modern Chinese Drama
The late famous dramatic director Huang Zuolin 黄佐临 (1906-1994) was Bernard Shaw’s favorite Chinese student.
Chinese Opera Artists – Meng Jinghui and His Successful Experiments
Being a leading theater director in recent years, Meng Jinghui 孟京辉 stirs up a storm of "experimental drama" in China with his continuous efforts in the field. To some extent, his name has become synonymous with "avant-garde" and "alternative", but his plays have also been very popular in the small theaters in Beijing, which enhances Meng’s reputation of being both popular and avant-garde.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 13 Cao Yu
Cao Yu (1910-1996), originally named Wan Jiabao, was born in Hubei but was raised in Tianjin, where his father was an official. In 1922, he began to study at Nankai Middle School, and became a very active member of Nankai New Troupe. Under the guide of Zhang Pengchun, a famous drama artist, he proved his brilliant talents in drama and his performance was warmly received by the audience.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 12 Yueju Artist Yuan Xuefen
When talking about Yueju (Shaoxing Opera), the famous actress Yuan Xuefen can not be forgotten. Yuan Xuefen (1922- ), the leading reformer in the 1940s, contributed a great deal to the development and enrichment of Yueju.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 11 Master of Kunqu: Yu Zhenfei
Kunqu first appeared in the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), some 600 years ago, in the lower Yangtze Valley. It was named after its birth place, Kunshan, near the city of Suzhou in today’s Jiangsu Province.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 10 Chang Xiangyu – A Yuju Actress
Henan Province is home to Yuju, one of China’s famous national opera forms, right alongside Peking Opera and Pingju. Yuju, formed in the Ming Dynasty and gaining prosperity from 1930s to the mid 1980s, is known for its smooth voices, beautiful melodies and the strong local flavor of Henan culture. Meanwhile, its simple and unsophisticated style has made it popular throughout the country.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 09 ZHANG Jun-Qiu
A female role Qing Yi performer. His style is recognized as ZHANG Style. His plays include " River-Facing Paguda", "Meeting by poem" etc. He was regarded the number one of the Four Junior Great Female Role Players.
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 08 Xun Huisheng
Xun Huisheng (荀慧生 1900-1968) was one of the four famous dan (female characters) in Beijing opera, along with Mei Lanfang (梅兰芳1894-1966), Shang Xiaoyun (尚小云1899-1976) and Cheng Yanqiu (程砚秋1900-1968).
Chinese Opera Artists 中国戏曲 07 CHEN Yan-Qiu
A Qing Yi player. Born in 1904 and died in 1958. His playing style was recognized as CHEN Style. His
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