MEI LANFANG

born 1894, T'ai-chou, Kiangsu province, China died August 1961, Peking Wade-Giles romanization Mei Lan-fang Chinese theatrical performer, one of the greatest singer-actor-dancers in Chinese history. The son and grandson of noted opera singers, Mei began studying at the Peking Opera at the age of 8 and made his debut onstage at 12, playing a weaving girl. Thereafter he played mostly female roles, becoming especially known for his portrayal of the Flower-shattering Diva; his style of dance won such acclaim over the years that it came to be known as the Mei Lanfang school. At age 14 he had joined the Hsi-lien-ch'eng Theatrical Company and, through performances in Shanghai and elsewhere, acquired a national reputation. He toured Japan in 1919 and 1924, the United States in 1930, and the Soviet Union in 1932 and 1935. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War he settled in Hong Kong (1937) but returned to Shanghai following the Japanese seizure of the territory and withdrew from the theatre for five years, resuming his career only in 1946. Thereafter he did both stage and film work and served as director or member of several cultural organizations. He was also active in the Chinese Communist Party.