The two-person dance is also known as Bengbeng, Bangbang Opera, Shuangwanyi, Lotus Falling, Yangge, etc. It is a folk song and dance singing art native to Northeast China. As early as the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, there were many bouncing troupes in the suburbs of Shenyang, but the ruling class looked down upon them and never allowed them to perform in the city. Occasionally, artists who come to the city can only hold bamboo boards and sell and sing along the streets, and cannot formally perform as a group. It wasn't until the construction of the Shenyang-Hailong Railway in 1920 that the government invited pop performers to perform in the city because the migrant workers building the road were farmers from the suburbs. They were very popular. But with the end of the road construction project, Errenzhuan also dispersed. In the late 1920s, another jumping troupe entered Shenyang City to perform. At that time, Zhang Zuolin liked to listen to the big drum, but for some reason he hated "Bengbeng". Not only did he not watch it, he often kicked out "small class members" and banned them from performing.
Zhang Xueliang, who was already the "Young Marshal" at this time, wanted to see what "Bengbeng" was, so he ordered Bai Juhua's Bengbeng class to go to the Marshal's Mansion to sing and perform. I want all the ladies and ladies in the Marshal's mansion to come out and take a look.
Stills from Errenzhuan's "The Second Sister Wang Misses Her Husband"
Bai Juhua's real name is Wang Chengye, and he is a famous jumping artist in Liaoyang. He, the foreman, sang a concert at the Marshal's Mansion. He didn't perform badly on stage, but backstage he angered the Marshal's Mansion's beauties. They grabbed the white chrysanthemum and wanted to beat it. Bai Juhua asked in dissatisfaction:
"Boss, why are you beating me?" Ma Bian replied arrogantly: "If your subordinates want money, I will beat you as the foreman!" At the critical moment, The young marshal heard the sound and rushed over, shouting sternly: "Stop! Whoever hits Bai Juhua, I will hit whoever dares to move!" Bai Juhua and his jumping squad were able to leave the marshal's house safely. It turned out that Zhang Xueliang was fascinated by Bai Juhua's performance and admired his art, so he naturally did not allow Ma Bian to hurt him. From then on, Bengbeng also gained favor in Shuaifu, and Bai Juhua also became famous and performed in Shenyang for a long time. Not long after, in Shenyang Industrial Zone National Market and other places, several troupes were singing opposite roles. The famous artists include the "Four Generals from the South of the City": Xu Xiaolou (Double Red), Yue Zhenzhong (Fourteen Reds), Zhao Wenshan (Zhao Wenshan) Caiyun), Huang Caiyun (the daughter of the famous jumping artist Huang Diankui in the late Qing Dynasty, with the stage name "Angry Donkey"), as well as Li Bolin (Jin Xiangxiang), Cheng Deqing, Cai Xingzhou (Prawn Crawler), Da Qiao, Er Qiao, etc., performed "Western "Hang", "Blue Bridge", etc. They used to perform in rural areas, and were paid by the villagers. After moving to the city, they changed to a payment system. After singing a section, they paid money to the audience, and when they had enough money, they sang again.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the Bengteng troupe entered Shenyang City for the third time. At this time, Sun Jiagui (Liu Juhua), Wang Guirong and others joined the troupe to perform at Shenyang Tiexi Chunhua Teahouse. This is the first time Errenzhuan Art has appeared on the stage. However, due to the Kuomintang's occupation of Shenyang, the people were in dire straits. The two-person theater troupe soon collapsed again. Liujuhua changed her career to selling vegetables, and Wang Guirong married as a woman. After the liberation of Shenyang, Erezhuan entered Shenyang for the fourth time and received national attention as a folk art. After 1950, the Errenzhuan theater troupe appeared in Shenyang, and the Shenyang Mass Local Theater Troupe was soon established. Xu Xiaolou, Cheng Xifa, Wang Enqing (June Fresh), Wang Guirong, etc. were all active on the Errenzhuan stage again, adding luster to the prosperity of Shenyang's literature and art.
Xinmin County (today’s Xinmin City), located in the suburbs of Shencheng, is one of the main popular areas for Errenzhuan. Regardless of whether they are in urban or rural areas, especially the elderly, watching Errenzhuan is a great pleasure. If a family's big and small affairs don't have two people to add to the fun, it seems like a big piece is missing.
Due to demand, duo actors have also become popular. Erezhuan's training courses are springing up all over Xinmin. Among many training classes, Li Guifen's Errenzhuan Art Training Class has suddenly emerged as a leader. Because the "talents" she trained are quite "famous" both inside and outside the province, some actors from other provinces and cities have been attracted to come to learn from her. The famous "team leader" of the duo in Xinmin County is Li Guifen. She is an old actress and teacher, and she is a well-known figure. She studied under the famous Erzhuan performing artist Ma Li and debuted on stage at the age of seventeen. Not only was she personally taught by her teacher, but she also inherited the strengths of Erzhuan artists from various schools and formed her own unique artistic style. Li Guifen has solid singing skills and a strong local flavor; her graceful figure and the combination of folk dance and modern dance form a unique artistic charm. Especially her handkerchief skills and fan skills are even more amazing. The "octagonal handkerchief" used in the "Two Handkerchiefs", which is now a popular trick and special skill of the duo, was her invention in 1964 when she performed "People's Good Station".
The performance was highly praised by Comrade Song Renqiong, then first secretary of the Northeast Bureau.