Ma Lan

For the biologist, see Ma Lan (biologist). For other uses, see Malan (disambiguation).
In this Chinese name, the family name is Ma.
Ma Lan
Born (1962-04-23) April 23, 1962 (age 62)
Taihu County, Anhui, China
OccupationHuangmei opera performer
Years active1980–2000
EmployerAnhui Huangmei Opera Company
Known forDan roles
Spouse
​
(m. 1992)​
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese马兰
Simplified Chinese馬蘭
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMǎ Lán

Ma Lan (born 23 April 1962) is a Chinese performing artist of Huangmei opera[1] who usually plays dan (female) roles. Before her abrupt (and unannounced) departure from the stage in 2000, Ma Lan was considered the most popular Huangmei opera performer in the country.[2] She has won the Plum Blossom Award, the China TV Golden Eagle Award, and the Flying Apsaras Award, and performed on the CCTV New Year's Gala in 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1997, and 2005. She is often compared to the 1950s/1960s superstar Yan Fengying,[3] whom she movingly portrayed in a hit 1988 TV series.

Ma Lan is married to writer Yu Qiuyu. In a 2006 blog post, Yu Qiuyu blamed toxic workplace politics and corruption in Anhui Huangmei Opera Company for his wife's involuntary retirement at age 38.[4] This post generated fervent discussions.[5][6]

  1. ^ Zhao Yan (2008-01-16). "Ma Lan won Outstanding Asian Artists". China Central Television.
  2. ^ Bai Yansheng (白燕升) (June 2008). "情归何处——马兰散记" [Whence Art Thou: Random Notes on Ma Lan]. Chinese Theatre (中国戏剧) (in Chinese): 51–53.
  3. ^ Tian Tian (2009-07-24). "Huangmei Opera Artist Ma Lan". China Radio International.[dead link]
  4. ^ "【专题】马兰为何离开安徽黄梅戏院" [Why Did Ma Lan Leave Anhui Huangmei Opera Company]. Sina.com (in Chinese).
  5. ^ Jia Zhigang (贾志刚) (September 2006). "体制对不起马兰, 马兰等不起体制" [The System Failed Ma Lan, but Ma Lan Cannot Wait for the System]. Arts Criticism (艺术评论) (in Chinese): 14–15.
  6. ^ He Yuren (何玉人) (September 2006). ""秋千架"中的摇荡" [The "Swing Frame" Sways]. Arts Criticism (艺术评论) (in Chinese): 15–17.