Japanese Books in Lu Xun's Social Plays

Yes> In the postscript of Mei Lanfang's Forty Years of Stage Life, the paragraph that Mr. Mei 19 19 performed in Japan was not published. He added, "Unfortunately, this part of the manuscript was lost in the turmoil in 1966." In fact, except for Mei's trip to the United States and the Soviet Union, all international performances were not recorded. It is a pity that the historical deeds of the first artist who spread China's ancient operas abroad have been ignored. Recently, the author found some information, recalled some things that Mr. Li, Uncle Li and Mr. Li Shizhen talked about before his death, and wrote this article.

Du Dong Fusang is an unprecedented event.

As far back as the fifth year of the Republic of China (the fifth year of Taisho in Japan), a Baron Okura in Japan founded an Imperial Theatre in Tokyo and decided to invite Mei Lanfang, the most famous Peking Opera actor in China at that time, to perform. Mr. Feng Gengguang, a close friend of Mei Lanfang, studied in Japan in his early years and graduated from the NCO School. He has some acquaintances in the Japanese government and the opposition. It was through Feng and Okura that Mei Lanfang was invited to perform in Japan. However, the situation was changeable at that time, and chaos soon appeared in zhang xun restoration, so the matter was shelved. Later, he Lu successively served as ambassador to Japan, and the Japanese side tried to mediate. It was not until the eighth year of Taisho (19 19) that the Imperial Theatre, with the strong support of Mei's friends, repeatedly urged them to come. First, on April 20th, Beijing Lezheng Education Association (later Liyuan Association) hosted a banquet in Beijing Tongxingtang. The next day, hundreds of members went to Qianmen East Station in Beijing to beat gongs and drums to see Mei Lanfang and his party off, which was unprecedented. Because this is the first time in the history of Peking Opera to perform abroad, all musicians are proud of it. They were accompanied by Mei's ex-wife, actors, Guan Dayuan, Yao Yufu, Furong (i.e.), Dong Yulin, He Xichun, Tao and Wang. The live band includes pianists Ru Laiqing, Gao Liankui, drummer He Binkui and piper Chen Jialiang. Judging from the division of labor of Mei Lanfang's band at that time, he had made some breakthroughs and innovations in Beijing opera music. Driving at eight o'clock that night, the wind and sand were very heavy, and more than 200 people stood on the platform to see me off. After the train left the station, the talents left, and everyone was very excited.

The performance in Tokyo caused a sensation in other countries.

Mei Lanfang and his party of more than 30 people passed through Shanhaiguan, Jinzhou and Goubangzi. Everywhere they went, the station was crowded with people who wanted to see Mei Lanfang's true colors. After arriving in Fengtian (now Shenyang) at 8: 00 pm on the 22nd, I took the Nanman bus to Anton on the 23rd, crossed the Yalu River Bridge and entered Korea (now North Korea). Arrived in Busan on 24th, changed to Japanese ship "Ma Dui Maru", took a short rest after arriving in Shimonoseki, and then changed to express train via Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Shizuoka and Yokohama, welcoming people and journalists to visit, and arrived in Tokyo at 9: 00 on 25th. The welcome guests are crowded, especially the international students from China. Photographers rushed to take pictures, but the traffic jam made it impossible. Many foreign students rushed out holding Mei Lanfang high. Mei Lanfang and Yao Yufu live in the Imperial Hotel. Mrs. Mei not only takes care of Mr. Mei's life, but also manages clothes and sews for actors. According to the current vocabulary, she also took part in the labor, not just "Miss Attendant". The rest of the staff live in the old dormitory and the Chinese restaurant provides meals.

On 26th, Mei Lanfang, accompanied by the staff of China Embassy, visited Baron Ogura on his couch. At noon, Kokura gave a banquet in the "Toyo Xuan" canteen. Koshiro Matsumoto, Zong Chuchu, Zong Shiro and other Japanese celebrities were present and took photos after dinner. At four o'clock in the afternoon, I went to the theater to see two plays, Ziben and Valley. Back at the hotel, a reporter visited me and asked Mei Lanfang to talk about her feelings about japanese theatre. May told me a lot of references. On the afternoon of 27th, I went to kabukiza to see a play, and took photos with the famous Japanese actor Nakamura Utaemo and his son Fukusuke. In the evening, the China Embassy held a banquet and invited Marquis Takamura, Baron Okura and many famous Japanese industrialists. Mei Lanfang visited Ueno Park and Asakusa Park in the early morning of 28th, and saw many pigeons in the park Kannonji. She walked happily for a long time. That night, Okura held a grand banquet in his corporate empire hotel, and introduced dozens of people including the sponsors of the performance to Mei. On the 29th, Hetian Youzhi invited Mei to "Meiji Block" to watch "Chicken Niang" performed by Jakobmen in the famous Japanese Danzhong Village, and met Nakamura backstage. Since then, they have made friends and exchanged artistic ideas. Mei Lanfang especially appreciated his makeup, and later he also borrowed it. Go to the theater to set up a stage for rehearsal on the 30th. Because the number of actors who came with me was not enough, I invited three members from Yokohama to help.

Mei Lanfang and his party began to perform at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo on May 1. The first drama, Fairy Scattering Flowers, was performed twice in a row, with Mei as a fairy, Yao Yufu as a flower slave, Wang as Galen, Guan Dayuan as Manjusri, Furong, Dong Yulin, He Xichun and Tao borrowing Yokohama as the Eight Immortals. Wang, Furong, He Xichun and Dong Yulin also played arhats. Although they performed one after another, they were all full. Later, he also performed the Imperial Monument Pavilion, Daughter Laughing, the Goddess Chang'e flying to the moon and Dai Yu Burying Flowers, Rainbow Pass, and a 10% discount on Fan Si in Kunqu Opera "Evil Flowers". Because the Japanese can understand the plot of the Imperial Monument Pavilion, this play is the most popular.

Listen to Zhao Tongshan talk about his trip to Japan.

1950, I opened a small restaurant in Shanghai. After closing every night, it has become a gathering place for artists and fans. And Li are regular customers. One day, he came with me and talked about some trivial matters about his trip to Japan with Mei Troupe. He said: "I was only 19 years old on that trip to Japan, and the rest were young men in their twenties and thirties. After fourteen days at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo, everything came. In Jinshan Temple, I played a young monk and said Su Bai. In a dream in the garden, I played an old Dan. At Rainbow Gate, I played a master, so I turned over and went to town. In Scattered Flowers, I played a fairy, got off the hook and caught a arhat, especially in a movie. There are many roles in this play, and few actors we go to. I'll play drew the clown first, and then the reporter in the middle. There is only one play by Mr. Mei in Tokyo, and there is a program by Japanese actors in front of it. We can't understand what he said in any case. It will take about half an hour, and we will go to the theatre after he finishes. "

He added, "After the performance in Tokyo, I also went to Kobe Osaka, where there were no Japanese actors' programs, but there was one in front of us. It will always be an "empty city plan" of Guan Dayuan. He plays Zhuge Liang, Gao Qingkui plays Sima Yi, and I will flag first and then fight the old army. " Dayuan didn't bring gossip clothes, because it was a temporary decision to put on the performance, so he had no choice but to use a blue' pleat' worn by Wang Youdao in the Imperial Monument Pavilion to cut gossip from yellow paper and stick it on his clothes, which were covered with gossip clothes, and his hat was also labeled with' high square towel'. "

I remember he also said: Japanese theaters have a very special rule. If you give the backstage a small paper bag with the words "Dairu" written on it, and there is a perforated nickel in it, it means "full" (that is, full). I played 14 times in Tokyo and got 12 small paper bags, which shows that I have achieved great results and almost sold them out.

Although Mei Lanfang's performance in Japan was not long, it caused a sensation in Japan. At that time, Huiwen Bookstore in Tokyo had a series of "Pinmei Ji", which was staged by Japanese scholars and celebrities.

American exploration in 1930s.

/kloc-at the beginning of 0/930, Mei Lanfang led a troupe to perform in the United States. This is the first time that Chinese Peking Opera has entered the American stage, and it is also the third time that Mei Lanfang Troupe has performed abroad. (Previously, in 1924 10, Mei Troupe made two tours to the east, and gave ten performances at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo from125 to14. Mei fell ill soon after the performance and once stayed in the Imperial Hotel for illness. ) to go to the United States, to cross the ocean, all costs are high. Because of this, the American Troupe's trip to the United States had to further streamline its personnel and save money. In addition to Mei Lanfang himself, there are only six actors and bands: Wang (an old student), Liu Lianrong (drawing a face), Zhu Guifang (Wu Dan), Yao Yufu (actress) and Li (secretary and actor).

1February, 9301On the evening of 7th, Mei Troupe performed for the first time at the 49th Street Grand Theatre in new york, USA. I have a performance program in my hand, which can be used as first-hand information for Mei's visit to the United States. From the program list, we can see the repertoire they performed, the distribution of actors and the situation during the performance. The program consists of four pages. On the second and third pages, there are four plays except the words "short-term performances by China great artist Mei Lanfang and other dancers, musicians and all the actors in the troupe". (1) The literal translation of the specified slipper into English is The Story of Doubtful Shoes (played by Ying Chun-Mei Lanfang, the wife of Fenhe Bay, and played by Wang, the husband of Fenhe Bay); (3) The Exorcizing of the Fox Spirit is translated as "Fox Fairy" (According to Qingshishan, the king catches the demon and the beautiful fox is played by Zhu Guifang; (3) Farewell My Concubine is the sword dance of the concubine in My Concubine, and it is a dance program performed by Mei Lanfang alone; Four "VENGEANCEONTHEBANDITGENERAL" are translated into "Revenge" (according to "Fei Zhen 'e Stabbing Tiger")-the princess played by Mei Lanfang (according to "Zhen 'e") and the one played by Liu Lianrong (according to "Li Hu"). These four plays lasted for two hours, and Mei Lanfang performed three programs by herself. Due to personnel constraints, a performance of "Fisherman Killed a Family" was performed by Mei's pianist, and four small teachers were recruited from non-actors. Later, they went to the Bay Moon Theater in San Francisco. There were many overseas Chinese and they saw Mei's specialty. Mei Lanfang played Rainbow Pass, so Zhu Guifang played the successor, and everyone who could play Fairy Scattered Flowers went up. Mei plays the fairy, Wang plays Wei Mo, Liu Lianrong plays Galen, Yao Yufu plays the old slave, Li plays Manjusri and plays the young monk.

At the top of the program, there is a fire notice: "In case of fire, guests must walk out of the fire escape in an orderly manner and don't disturb their neighbors." It can be seen that the audience was crowded at that time and the American authorities attached importance to that performance. According to the newspaper reports at that time, Mei Lanfang performed in new york, Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu and other places, and was warmly welcomed by local officials and the masses wherever he went. The highest ticket price is $5, but the black market ticket is more than twice the original price. When performing in new york, the audience often crowded into the stage at the last curtain call, demanding to shake hands with Mei Lanfang, and refused to leave for a long time, which really swept the United States.

Mei Lanfang was highly praised during her trip to the United States.

Mei Lanfang's performance in the United States has attracted the attention of American drama and literature circles, and many famous people have made friends with him. For example, fan punk, Mary Pickford and Chaplin, the most popular stars in Hollywood at that time, all formed a deep friendship with him. Stark Yang, a famous drama critic, wrote in the article Mei Lanfang and His Troupe Play, "Mei Lanfang's performance makes me feel that this is the peak of this season's drama. It is also the highest peak of all previous drama festivals since Duz (a famous Italian actress) visited and Chekhov's drama was staged in Moscow Theatre. Robert Riter, another professional drama critic, wrote in new york World that I watched the Peking Opera performed by Mei Lanfang, the most famous actor in China, and had the most wonderful and exciting night. The New York Times also published an article by Brooks Atkinson, a drama critic, saying that his drama art has a unique style and norms, and it is as eternal as a castle peak. In addition to numerous articles that spoke highly of Mei's performance, Pomona University and the University of Southern California also awarded him an honorary doctorate in literature, thanking him for introducing China's classical art to the United States and maintaining the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. These are not only Mei Lanfang's personal honor, but also the honor of China's traditional opera art.

Visiting the Soviet Union, I met Stanley Slavski for the first time.

1935, Mei Lanfang led a troupe to perform in the Soviet Union, which was even more wonderful than the previous trip to Japan and the United States. At that time, Mei's secretary and student uncle told many anecdotes about their performances in the Soviet Union. He said he met something at the customs. There was an guqin in his luggage. In order to protect the guqin, he made a blanket cover outside it. Not wanting to arouse the suspicion of the customs officers, they not only removed the condom and checked it, but also rummaged through the boxes. They checked all the luggage, but when they saw a big white envelope at the bottom of the box with countless photos of Mei Lanfang, they looked at it and asked who it was. When told that it was Mei Lan, they not only stopped the inspection, but also immediately changed their attitude, helped to sort things out, and politely escorted them out of the station and passed safely. Another thing, also said by Uncle Li Fei, is that when the Mei Troupe performs at the Moscow State Theatre, it is always necessary to pay attention to whether there is Stalin in the audience. At that time, Aiden, the British minister in charge of SEALs, was in Moscow, and once he came to the theater. They think it's Molotov. Until the day of the last performance, I saw the national flags of China and the Soviet Union hanging high in the theater. They noticed that there were two empty boxes upstairs, which seemed to be waiting for the arrival of the distinguished guests. Suddenly, the light under the stage dimmed, but the lights on the stage were stronger. There is a strong contrast between the stage and the audience. I saw only a few figures in the two boxes, and several big men stood on both sides with their hands in their pockets. Backstage, people in the theater said that Stalin and Motolov had come to the theatre, but the actors didn't see the face of the Soviet leader with thick eyebrows and beards.

During Mei Lanfang's performance in Moscow, many world-famous dramatists, such as Stani Slavski, Nemanovich, Danchenko, Alexander Petrov, Eisenstein and the famous German dramatist Brecht, watched his performances from time to time. They especially like his performances "The Fisherman Killed the Family" and "The Drunken Lady". Mei Lanfang also had a historic meeting with Stanley Lavschi. In the article "In memory of Stanley Lavschi" written by Mei later, she recalled the scene at that time and said, "At that time, he was over 70 years old. The first time I met him, I was attracted by his sincere and modest attitude, self-cultivation and superb artist style. We talked about it several times and exchanged personal experiences in art. "stanislavski once said to Mei Lanfang," To be a good actor or director, we must study theory and technology assiduously, and neither can be neglected. At the same time, an actor must constantly pass the stage performance and be tested by the masses in order to enrich himself, otherwise he will be like a dead tree without roots. " Mei Lanfang was very close to Shi when he was in the Soviet Union. Shi's words inspired him greatly and left a deep impression on him. Shi invited Mei Lanfang to the Moscow Art Theatre to enjoy the drama directed by him, politely asked him to criticize it, and took a group photo with Mei Lanfang at his home as a souvenir. That was1March 30th, 935.

1At the end of 952, Mei Lanfang went to Vienna to attend the World People's Peace Conference, passing through Moscow. At that time, Shishi was already dead. Misar Zhevsky, a famous Soviet director, told him that Shi Shi mentioned Mei's name to the actors and students when he directed the last play. This is a great encouragement to Mei Lanfang and reflects their mutual respect.

In addition to the above, Mei Lanfang performed in Japan again in the summer of 1956 at the invitation of Asahi Shimbun and other organizations in Japan, which has been detailed in his book Travel Notes in the East, so I won't go into details in this article.

In a word, Mei Lanfang brought China's traditional art abroad very early, and was a pioneer in the exchange of foreign operas. He won glory for the Chinese nation, and that alone is memorable.