The Research Of Drama Publicity Campaign In Wuhan During Anti-japanese War(1937-1938)

After the outbreak of Anti-Japanese War,Shanghai and other coastal cities successively fell into enemy land while Wuhan became the resistance centre,attracting lots of people from circle of literature and art and initiating an upsurge of literature and art work.Drama,as an important part of literature and art,also embarked on rapid development during the early anti-Japanese war,reflected by the emergence of a large number of drama groups,the creation of outstanding works and the progress of theatrical performances.The drama groups were influential and rich in number including comprehensive literature and art groups like Anti-Enemy Association of Chinese National Theater and Anti-Enemy Association of Chinese Arts and Literature Society and professional theatre performing groups like Shanghai Amateur Theater Association,China Travel Theater,Anti-Japanese Theater,etc.The creation of drama was impressive and a lot of representative dramatists appear such as Yang Hansheng,Tian Han,and Hong Sheng who adapted or created the "Death of Li Xiucheng","Eve" and other popular works.The content was diverse covering the criticisms of Japan's aggressive atrocities,the praise of Chinese people's courage,the eulogization of the heroic deeds,the determination of devotion and the hideousness of the traitorous groups.The performers were multiple vary from famous professionals who splendidly display the classical work regardless of the pay to amateur actors like kinds who also made great contributions.And the performing forms were full of patriotism whether they were presented on the street or in the theatre.The development of drama in Wuhan during the Anti-Japanese War plays an important historical role in boosting soldiers' morale,raising donations to support the front line and mobilizing the public to join the war.It greatly inspired people's morale in the war and made a significant contribution to the ultimate victory from the aspect of publicity campaign.It strongly promoted the process of popularization of drama,enhanced people's understanding to drama and laid a good audience foundation for the re-development of drama after the founding of people's republic of China.However,there were still some patterned and rigescent works lacking of creativity and vitality.