"Light Flower Reminiscence: Zhou Chu. Lin Muyu's Memoirs

Author: Zhou Chu et al
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: During a charity performance in Beijing to aid Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, the Chinese film industry held a benefit show. I had the privilege of meeting two old friends from the 1930s, the renowned director and film artist Liu Qiong and Shu Shi. We were both delighted to have the chance to reconnect and reminisce about the past. I remember it was autumn in 1940, in Shanghai, when the "Shanghai Drama Troupe," led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) underground organization, gathered a group of progressive drama workers. Their performances were supported by a wide audience but also the destruction of reactionary forces. Due to the isolated struggle and the high profile of the troupe, it became an easy target. Under the advocacy and organization of the CPC underground Cultural Committee, with Ai Ying taking the initiative, a new group was formed with Ai Ying, Liu Qiong, Wu Yonggang, and others at its core—the "New Art Drama Troupe," creating a coordinated front. They staged Ai Ying's plays, "Sea Country Heroes" and "The Legend of Yang E." At the time, Ai Ying, Wu Yonggang, and Liu Qiong invited me and Shu Shi to join the New Art Drama Troupe to engage in revolutionary artistic performances. Although we three did not know that Ai Ying was a CPC member, we were aware of the political background of the New Art Drama Troupe. In our hearts, joining the New Art Drama Troupe was equivalent to participating in the CPC-led revolutionary drama movement. We had resigned from our original jobs and risked persecution to join the New Art Drama Troupe. I remember when performing "Sea Country Heroes," Liu Qiong forgot his lines and instead played a "prank" on me and Shu Shi. In that year's production of "Sea Country Heroes," Liu Qiong played Zheng Chenggong, while I and Shu Shi were the A and B alternates, respectively playing the general Zhang Mingzhen. In one scene, Zheng Chenggong was in his camp, ordering troops and giving commands, saying, "General X, attack General Y..."