“Xue And Ma Compete For Hegemony” And Cantonese Opera Reform

“Xue and Ma compete for hegemony” refers to a 10-year fierce competition between Juexian Opera Troupe based in Guangzhou led by Xue Juexian and Taiping Opera Troupe performing in Hong Kong Taiping Theatre led by Ma Shizeng during the 1930 s in the art market.While “competing for hegemony”,Xue Juexian promoted large-scale reform with his Juexian Opera Troupe as testing ground and Ma Shizeng practiced his reform ideas with his Taiping Opera Troupe as reform base.The two Cantonese opera masters made a great contribution to the renovation of Cantonese opera through their continuous exploration and reform of Cantonese opera performing form.This paper discusses and analyzes “Xue and Ma compete for hegemony” through combing through general development status of Cantonese opera during the 1920 s and 1930 s.This paper is divided into five chapters.The introduction part illustrates the historical status and the research value of “Xue and Ma compete for hegemony”,which shows the research significance of this paper,and makes an overview of the research status in this field.Chapter two mainly introduces the historical background of their competition,including the introduction of Xue's and Ma's life,and briefly combs through the Zhishi Troupe,Shenggang Troupe and development of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong.Chapter three makes clear the details of “Xue and Ma compete for hegemony” through studying cast members and plays they performed of the two opera troupes.Chapter Four summarizes the influence of “Xue and Ma compete for hegemony” on the Cantonese opera reform from five aspects including actors and actresses,play scripts,music,performance and stage art design.In the end,there are three suggestions for contemporary Cantonese opera reform based on the status of contemporary Cantonese opera reform and the experience drew from Xue and Ma's competition and their reform of Cantonese opera.