Bangzi opera was spread to Taiwan with the Republic of China Armed Forces in 1949. In order to “promote Chinese culture,” the R.O.C. government used Bangzi opera as a typical representative, so it has been vigorously promoted in Taiwan. At that time, Bangzi opera was one of the opera types funded by the Taiwan government. However, later, during the reign of Taiwanese government, local culture was vigorously promoted, and the Bangzi opera environment was affected. Financial resources and talent training were insufficient, and the audiences were decreasing day by day. Despite the above, in 1994, due to military personnel reductions, the only remaining Bangzi Opera Troupe was almost eliminated. This performance group was retained and was renamed under the Ministry of Education in 1996. Currently, the Taiwan Bangzi Opera Troupe is a national-level public Bangzi opera performance group affiliated to the National Center for Traditional Arts, Ministry of Culture (Taiwan).

The development of Bangzi opera in Taiwan

The development history of Bangzi opera in Taiwan can be divided into five periods:

Foundation period: In the 1950s. In 1951, the Republic of China Air Force established an amateur Bangzi opera troupe (Dapeng Bangzi opera troupe) with Lanhua Mao as the core. In 1953, Shiou-Yun Chang established the “Pegasus Bangzi Opera Troupe,” which became an important troupe that passed down the legacy of Bangzi opera in Taiwan. The Republic of China Marine Corps Pegasus Bangzi opera troupe student class opened in 1959 is the longest-running Bangzi opera class in Taiwan’s history (later changed to the Bangzi opera class of the National Guoguang Theater Experimental School of Drama). These performers trained by Dapeng and Pegasus have become the core force in the development of Bangzi opera in Taiwan.

Reorganization period: In the 1960s, Taiwan’s military political system began to consolidate various theater troupes. Dapeng was first disbanded in 1965, Luguang was also disbanded in 1971, and only the Pegasus Bangzi opera troupe remained. Afterwards, Lanhua Mao and Shiou-Yun Chang left the troupe one after another, forcing the first generation of Bangzi opera students to take over the performances immediately. At that time, the Ministry of National Defense established the “National Army Literary and Art Awards.” In 1966, Hai-Ling Wang debuted as Hua Mulan and became an instant hit. The performances during this period were mainly competition plays and observation performances.

Transformation period: In the 1970s. In 1971, the Luguang Bangzi opera troupe was disbanded, and the Pegasus Bangzi opera troupe took over Luguang's members and became the only center for the development of Bangzi opera in Taiwan. The focus of performances during this period shifted from entertainment for the troops and commercial performances to the three annual performances of the National Army Literary and Art Center and the National Army Literary and Art Awards competition plays.

Peak period: In the 1980s. Pegasus Bangzi opera troupe continued to perform regularly at the Armed Forces Cultural Center and was active in various artistic and cultural activities, elevating Bangzi opera’s status in the arts and culture world. The significance of the transformation it represented was from the traditional theater fans of the National Army Literary and Art Center to the new literary and art audiences, and Bangzi opera gradually transformed into an important asset of Taiwan’s performing arts. The performance style of this period was characterized by liveliness and local characteristics.

Innovative development period: From the 1990s to the present. In 1990, Pegasus was invited to perform in the United States, Germany, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, and other countries, and stood on the international stage with the art of Bangzi opera. In 1996, the Taiwanese military decided not to operate the opera troupe anymore. The troupe was moved under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China and renamed the National Guoguang Theater Bangzi Opera Troupe, which is now the state-owned Taiwan Bangzi Opera Troupe. In 2012, after the Ministry of Culture (Taiwan) was established, the Taiwan Bangzi Opera Troupe was affiliated to the National Center for Traditional Arts, Ministry of Culture (Taiwan). In recent years, the performance style of Taiwan’s Bangzi opera troupe has been featured by “combining modernization and localization and showing inclusiveness and innovation,” which emphasizes the localization of Bangzi opera and deeply integrates the meaning of Taiwan. In the meanwhile, the concept of cross-cultural or cross-border creation have become a creative trend in Taiwan in the 21st century. Taiwan’s Bangzi Opera Troupe created the Bangzi Opera cross-cultural repertoire for the first time in 2000 with the famous Italian opera Turandot, and the performance resulted in an unprecedented sensation. In 2009, William Shakespeare's famous play The Merchant of Venice was once again borrowed for the Bangzi opera edition “Constraint.” These two new cross-cultural works opened up a new creative path for the modernization and international development of Bangzi opera in Taiwan.

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