Performers › Stage Performers
Zhou Xinfang
Peking opera laosheng actor known as Qilin Tong, based in Shanghai, founder of the Qi school, paired with Ma Lianliang as 'Qi of the South, Ma of the North'
Backstage of a theatre troupe, an open trunk spills embroidered red and blue robes, one worked with a phoenix, beneath a jewelled headdress with long plumes; a mirror stand, a stool and a row of painted drums stand beside it, with a red curtain hanging at the right.
Also known as Stage name Qilin Tong · Born Zhou Shichu
- Roles
- Stage Performers
Zhou Xinfang, born Zhou Shichu and known on stage as Qilin Tong, traced his family to Cixi in Zhejiang and was born at Qingjiangpu in Jiangsu in January 1895. He began training at six and at seven appeared in Hangzhou in child roles under the name Qiling Tong, 'the seven-year-old', later spending most of his career with companies in Shanghai. With a husky voice, he built his characters through rugged singing and forceful acting and delivery, the style known as the Qi school; he and Ma Lianliang of Beijing were paired as 'Qi of the South, Ma of the North'. His repertoire included Xu Ce Runs to the City, The Four Successful Candidates, Wulong Courtyard, Xiao He Pursues Han Xin by Moonlight and Hai Rui Submits a Memorial. He died in Shanghai in March 1975.
Life and times
Dates 1895 CE–1975 CE