Shanghai Shen Qu Opera Research Dynasty (1934-1947)

Shanghai Shenqu Opera Research Institute was one of the largest operaorganizations in the history of Huju, which was established on November28th,1934.In the promotion of movement of modern opera improvement, in order to complywith the requirement of social development and explore the developed path of Huju,Huju’s world organized the Shanghai Shenqu Opera Research Institute on the base ofthe original Shenqu Opera Guild. The purpose of the institute was to contact peers’feeling, to seek for colleagues’ common benefits, to protect the interests of members,to assist in the implementation of social education, and to improve the level ofShenqu.After the foundation of the institute, to promote reform of repertoires, it wascommitted to improve Shengqu, readjust the repertoires, stop the pornographicshows, and create the “Shensheng magazine”. Shanghai Shenqu Opera ResearchInstitute has organized four theatrical troupes, which called Wen Bin, Shi Jia, Xin Ya,Zi Yun. They held “Four string class meeting” in the Central theatre and the XinGuang theatre which was influential during the history of Huju. In1937, after the warof resistance against Japan, Shanghai Shenqu Opera Research Institute also has heldmany charity performances. What’s more, the institute relieved many refugees, so itplayed a important role in highlighting the social responsibility of opera artists,expanding the affection of Huju, and improving Huju’s position.At the end of the nineteen-thirties, Shanghai has fallen to be “Isolated Island”,but the career of mass cultural entertainment has changed to be prosperity. Underthe guidance of Shanghai Shenqu Opera Research Institute, Hujus troupes and artistshave reformed a lot in the way of operas repertoire, stages art, costumes, andorganizations management and so on. Huju’s troupe has changed in nature and scale,and finally Huju got a rapid development. Under the urge of Shanghai Shenqu OperaResearch Institute, Huju’s troupes referenced to Peking Opera, Film, and Moderndrama in the way of stage program, script writing and costumes. And they spent a lotof manpower and resources on the construction of repertoire. For example, they invited the director and screenwriter from Modern drama or Film and showed somefashion shows which were closed to city life and displayed the ages appearance. SoModern Huju Opera has developed rapidly. From now on, Huju began to enter themodern theatre art, which fully demonstrated the art features of the opera of HujuUrbanization. At last, Huju became an important part of Shanghai’s urban culture.What’s more, the urge to Huju’s troupes and all the members from ShanghaiShenqu Opera Research Institute has improved the cohesion of whole Huju’s teamand guaranteed the quality of Huju’s troupe. Furthermore, it also made Huju flourishquickly.