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Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Culture Group
Ming Hwa Yuan is one of the most famous and organized Taiwanese opera troupes, which revives the Taiwanese traditional art by combining technologies and intricate performance skills. It is established by Ming Jin Chen in 1929 and has 80 years of history. In 1997, after Mr. Chen’s death, his third son, Sheng Fu Chen, took over this traditional industry.
History
Ming Jin Chen, the founder of Ming Hwa Yuan, born in 1929, in Pingtung County of Taiwan. He sets up Ming Hwa troupe, the predecessor of Ming Hwa Yuan, with Bin Hwa Cai, the proprietor of theater. Later, Pacific War broke out. The Japanese governed Taiwan and carried out Japanization (Kominka Movement.) Ming Hwa troupe was one of the few of groups that allowed to perform. During the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945), Taiwanese was forced to speak Japanese, which also obstructed the development of Taiwanese opera. Since 1945, Taiwan regained its independence from Japan. Taiwanese opera rejuvenated and became fashionable in Taiwan. Between 1949-1956, there were approximately 500 troupes in Taiwan. However, the American Westerns and Japanese Samurai movies blitzed the Taiwanese film market in the 1960s, which made the Taiwanese opera’s box office flop. After experiencing the rise and fall of Taiwanese opera, Min Hwa Yuan not only masters the social trends, but also innovate the opera by intergrading the elements of modern theater and movie. In 1982, Ming Hwa Yuan won the first prize of the National Theater Competition in Taiwan by the opera “Father and Son,” becoming an instant hit.
Organization
Ming Hwa Yuan is a family-owned troupe, managed by the family members. Under the general organization of Ming Hwa Yuan, there are eight sub groups, Tien, Di, Shuan, Hwang, Jer, Yue, Sin and Chan.
Feature
In spite of performing the traditional Taiwan opera for almost a century, Min Hwa Yuan is featured by the particularly contemporary stage design such as lightning and sound effects, which are similar to a large-scale live concert or contemporary theater performance. In other words, it emphasizes not only sound but also visual presentation, helping the audience understand the story. Going through a series of reformation and innovation, Ming Hwa Yuan creates a unique and avant-garde performing style by mixing traditional heritage and modern technique. It has been praised as the “Broadway of the East” due to its distinctive presentation of Taiwanese opera, consisting by the folklore, poem-lyrics, theater, dancing, music, acrobatics, and fin art.
Reference
Lu, Yu Xiu. "Taiwanese Opera." In The Music History of Taiwan, 170-172. Taipie: Wu-Nan Culture Enterprise, 2003.
"Taiwanese Opera." Art Appreciation, Winter, 2012, December 15, 2012.