Counting, Chinese drama has been born for 112 years until this year.
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Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, the closing exhibition of the "Theme Exhibition commemorating the Centenary of the Birth of Chinese Drama and the 70th Anniversary of the Motherland" was placed in Shanghai.
△ In 1937, Zhang Ruifang and Cui Song performed "Put Down Your Whip"
The whole exhibition is divided into six parts according to the context of time-
The Birth of Chinese Drama (1907-1918)
May Fourth New Drama (1919-1929)
During the War of Resistance (1930-1936)
The Period of the All-Out War of Resistance (1937-1948)
New Chinese Drama (1949-1975)
Drama of the New Era (1976–present)
△ China Drama Art Society premiered "Earth Rejuvenation" in Chongqing
Qin Yi (left) as Huang Shuhui
Through hundreds of precious pictures, you can see the vicissitudes of the past hundred years, Chinese dramas dripping into rivers and seas, talents, and masterpieces such as forests.
There are revolutionaries who go to the battlefield from wielding props and knives, and there are also Ni Dahong who even has eye bags...
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Wang Zhongsheng, wielding a prop knife to fight
In the part of "The Birth of Chinese Drama", no matter what, there is a knowledge point to be mastered first -
Chinese drama was born in 1907, but the performance venue was in Japan, and in that year, Chunliushe, a literary and art group organized by Li Shutong in Japan, performed the fragment of "La Traviata" and "Black Slave Calling Heavenly Record" in Tokyo.
△ In 1907, Chunliushe performed "Black Slave Calling Heavenly Record"
Of course, here you can also see a lot of photos worthy of Shanghai's pride -
For example, the Lyceum Theater was the first formal venue for drama performances in China.
△ Lyceum Theatre
For example, in 1907, the Chunyang Society, a drama company established with the Chunliu Society, was in The Xuhui District of Shanghai.
△ History of Chunyang Society
Before the establishment of Chunyang Society, the founder Wang Zhongsheng published an advertisement in Shanghai to set up a new drama school - Tongjian School, the enrollment method is very simple, all applicants are admitted, a total of dozens of students are enrolled, after the opening of tongjian school, there is no homework, but Wang Zhongsheng directs the daily rehearsal.
△ Wang Zhongsheng, founder of Chunyang Society
He did not hide his revolutionary ideas, openly claiming to use the drama as a means to "arouse the sleeping lion of the sinking"; after the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution, Wang Zhongsheng's determination to participate in the revolution to overthrow the Manchu Qing was further strengthened.
It is said that one night after Shanghai attacked the Gaochang Temple Manufacturing Bureau, he performed on the Fourth Road, and after the show, he went to the backstage, borrowed a military uniform, a prop command knife, dressed up, and set off for Nanshi to fight...
△ Chunyang Society rehearsed "Black Slave Calling Heavenly Record"
At that time, there were already many new dramatists like Wang Zhongsheng, whose artistic posture was no longer that of traditional artists, and their plays were no longer "things" for people to enjoy, but a sharp weapon to arouse the people and carry out social struggles.
As long as the opportunity allows, they can transform themselves from entertainers to warriors.
△ This was later published in the newspaper as a report on Wang Zhongsheng's sacrifice
02
Zhang Ruifang, playing a foreigner with the bridge of his nose raised
In the exhibition, you can see the 24-year-old Cao Yu, Mei Qingmu Xiu wenbin, he also starred in "Money Mania" (also translated as "Shou Cai Snugh" Han Bokang, who also played Zhou Puyuan in his famous book "Thunderstorm".
△ Cao Yu and his role of Zhou Puyuan
There are even stills of "Requiem" co-starring Cao Yu and Zhang Ruifang, in the photo, Cao Yu and Zhang Ruifang have raised the bridge of their noses and have curly hair, if it is not a picture description, you will not recognize these two at all.
△ "Requiem" co-starring Cao Yu and Zhang Ruifang
Song Baozhen, director of the Drama Research Institute of the China Academy of Arts, explained——
"On the Chinese drama stage, acting in foreign plays, actors have to raise their noses and wear blonde hair, and they have insisted on the performance trend for many years.
It was not until some plays such as "Death of a Salesman" and "Mutiny" in the 1980s that it was gradually discovered that these external forms were not needed, and the audience could accept Chinese play Westerners. ”
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, four famous actresses in Chongqing, Qin Yi, Bai Yang, Zhang Ruifang and Shu Xiuwen, collectively known as the "Four Famous Dans" of the drama, a series of precious photos in the exhibition can appreciate the style of these real "old drama bones" when they were young.
△ Qin Yi, Bai Yang, Zhang Ruifang, Shu Xiuwen, and Deng Yingchao took a group photo
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As a result, as soon as it appeared, it brought chills
After the founding of New China, China's drama industry blossomed everywhere, and each province and city set up its own speech theater troupe.
Beijing Renyi's "Longsugou" that year also has a still placed in this exhibition, and the male protagonist in the photo is the famous one.
△ In 1952, "Dragon's Whiskers" was made into a movie
Still because it is playing Cheng crazy
It is said that for this version of Longsugou, all the actors have to live to make interview notes, and everyone has to turn in the notes and learn from each other.
The notes, which are now stored in the Beijing Renyi Exhibition Hall, are also a reminder to young actors that no role can be played casually.
△ Wang Lifa in "The Tea House" is one of the most classic characters
Song Baozhen also told a story -
"When "The Tea House" was performed at that time, the requirement was that there must be a play on the back of the actor with his back to the audience, and whether he was nervous or indifferent to hear a message could be reflected in the back.
So he played an old horse in "Camel Shoko", there was only one scene, in order to support his grandson, pulling a car in the cold street... At that time, there was no air conditioning on the three-volt day, but one of them seemed to bring a chill. ”
△ So he played the old horse in "Camel Shoko"
No wonder Lao She sent a sentence for this, "Those who work hard as they are, succeed in their almost?"
△ So he starred as Lao She in "Taiping Lake"
There is also a photograph of Li Moran when he was young, when he performed a Bulgarian play "The First Blow" at the Liaoning People's Art Theater, and his eyes were shining brightly.
△ Li Moran's "First Blow"
Again, the old artists of that generation can flourish on the stage because of their unremitting pursuit of art.
In order to practice his breath well, Li Moran would insist on holding a enamel jar of water every morning, drink a sip and compete with others to see who sprayed far, which was also his unique secret recipe for practicing breath.
△ Li Moran
04
"Charles III", a Chinese-style freehand performance
In the photos that enter this part of the new century, there are also many eye-catching works.
There is a story behind a photograph of Charles III.
△ National Theatre of China edition of "Charles III"
In 2012, the National Theatre of China Chinese version of Shakespeare's classic "Richard III" was staged at shakespeare's Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames in London, England, which incorporated a large number of Chinese elements and told a classic story of power and desire in a Chinese way.
As a result, until the opening day, because of the shipping relationship, the ship transporting the stage props was still floating on the sea...
Later, when performing, the stage set was concise and clear, and the white set was written with square words such as "interest", "desire", "lie", "power" and "curse".
△ The white set has square characters written on it
During the performance, the actors used Chinese dialogue to integrate elements such as Chinese Peking Opera art, percussion, traditional calligraphy and freehand space into the play, bringing a new experience to the British audience.
It is said that since then, the British have also felt that chinese actors have done a good job of using a concise and freehand way – the black cloth covers the person is gone – and many troupes that have been playing Shakespeare for many years have begun to follow suit.
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Ni Dahong, the eye bags of the supporting roles are all drama
At this year's Shanghai TV Festival, Ni Dahong won the best actor of Magnolia with Su Daqiang in "All Is Good", and the scenery was unique for a while.
On stage, his play this year was Requiem; it was sold out after only a minute of ticketing.
△ Ni Dahong's stage work "Requiem" this year
In fact, Ni Dahong, who is now very popular, has been a real old drama bone for so many years.
As an actor in the National Drama Theatre, he has acted in dramas for most of his life, and every role is impressive.
In 1999, because he played "Two and a Half Miles" in "The Field of Life and Death" directed by Tian Qinxin, Ni Dahong became the double winner of the Plum Blossom Award and the Wenhua Performance Award, the highest award for Chinese theater performance.
△ Ni Dahong and Han Tongsheng in "The Field of Life and Death"
In this exhibition, Ni Dahong's stills in "The Field of Life and Death" are impressive, leaning over his body, still expressionless, but portraying a foolish old man who does not know that the ghost who comes home with a gun is the enemy, no wonder it is said that his eye bags are all drama.
The exhibition is hosted by the Drama Research Institute of the China Academy of Arts,
Shanghai Compass Art Planning Co., Ltd., Shanghai Theater, Metro City Space.
The exhibition will run from August 23 to September 4.