Mei Qiaoling (25 September 1842 â€" 16 December 1882), born Mei Fang,
courtesy name Xiaobo and art name Huixian, was a Qing dynasty Peking
opera and kunqu artist based in Beijing. He specialized in playing dan
roles, or women. Originally from Taizhou, Jiangsu, he was sold to a
childless man in Suzhou at age 8. After that man remarried and begot a
son, Mei was sold again, this time to a theatrical troupe where he had
to train to become a performer. He rose to stardom despite his
pudginess, which earned him the nickname "Fat Qiaoling" (胖巧玲).
At age 30, he became the leader of the Four Happiness Troupe
(四喜ç ), one of the most famous troupes in Beijing, and rarely
performed after that.His son Mei Yutian was also a performer. His
grandson Mei Lanfang was the most accomplished Peking opera artist of
all time.In the 2002 comedy TV series The Best Clown Under Heaven
(天下第一ä¸'), Mei Qiaoling is portrayed by Peking opera actor
Song Xiaochuan (å®‹å° å· ).
courtesy name Xiaobo and art name Huixian, was a Qing dynasty Peking
opera and kunqu artist based in Beijing. He specialized in playing dan
roles, or women. Originally from Taizhou, Jiangsu, he was sold to a
childless man in Suzhou at age 8. After that man remarried and begot a
son, Mei was sold again, this time to a theatrical troupe where he had
to train to become a performer. He rose to stardom despite his
pudginess, which earned him the nickname "Fat Qiaoling" (胖巧玲).
At age 30, he became the leader of the Four Happiness Troupe
(四喜ç ), one of the most famous troupes in Beijing, and rarely
performed after that.His son Mei Yutian was also a performer. His
grandson Mei Lanfang was the most accomplished Peking opera artist of
all time.In the 2002 comedy TV series The Best Clown Under Heaven
(天下第一ä¸'), Mei Qiaoling is portrayed by Peking opera actor
Song Xiaochuan (å®‹å° å· ).
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