Stage Drama

In China's stage drama history, Tianjin's role was indelible. Li Shutong, one of the early advocates of modern stage drama and the first to put "Traviata" on stage, was from Tianjin. The first to go abroad to study modern drama techniques and introduce China to western drama concepts was Zhang Pengchun, who was also from Tianjin. In early years, the Troupe of Nankai University set the scene for China's movement of modern drama. It was from here that famous drama artists such as Cao Yu and Huang Zongjiang began their artistic pursuits. Tianjin is also the hometown of many famous drama directors, including Huang Zuolin, Shenfu and Xie Tian, and actors and actresses including Wei Heling, Mei Xi and Shi Yu.
In Tianjin's modern drama history, an early veteran educator Yan Fansun must be mentioned. He was quite fond of drama. He often said, "A good drama is insightful and educational." In the remaining years of his life, he was still actively involved in drama activities. In 1911, he learned from newspaper that a patriot Pan Ziyin committed suicide by plunging himself into sea because he could not tolerate seeing the fall of Qing Dynasty. In addition to asking the Qing government to commend him, Yan Fansun also asked Li Qinxiang to write a drama about this and asked a famous actor Sanmazi of Shanghai to come to Beijing and Tianjin to give performances. He very much admired the new history dramas written by Wang Xiaonong. In 1912, he recommended him to teach in the Drama Reform Society. He often discussed the reforms about drama with other important drama artists.