Any introduction to Peking Opera would not be complete without telling of Mei Lanfang.
      Traditionally only men performed in Peking Opera, including the female roles. And Mei Lanfang was
the very best master of the miss. During his stage life, he combined the traditions of the past with his own
creations, shaping a style of his own and giving birth to “The Mei Lanfang School”. He was also the first
artist to introduce Peking Opera to an overseas audience, making it popular to the world. For half a century,
Mei Lanfang was a household name in China.
     Mei Lanfang began his stage life at the age of 8. His teacher said he showed little hope because of his
boring eyes. To improve this, he exercised them day after day. He would fly kites and look at them moving
slowly in a blue sky. He also kept pigeons in order to look at them soaring higher and higher until they
disappeared into the clouds. Thanks to his efforts, he managed to transform his dull eyes into a pair of bright
and expressive eyes and win national fame before the age of 20, In over 50 years on the stage, Mei Lanfang
played no less than 100 differents characters in the traditional Peking Opera performance. He completely
changed both stage make-up and costumes, and enriched characters’ gestures. expressions and poses. He
also wrote many new plays, designing the dances himself. The many dances he created form part of the
great legacy that he left to Peking Opera.
      In 1930.Mei Lanfang started on a successful US tour. There his brilliant performances fascinated the
audience, making them realize that Peking Opera was a theatrical forrn of great literary and artistic value.