Xu Dashu

Xu Dashu, born in 1953 in Hubei Province, China, graduated from Wuhan City Art School with a major in Chu Opera. During his time at school, he performed in over 40 traditional plays, including "Dang Ma" and "Zha Mei An." He began performing on stage at the age of 16 and by 2016 had been in the profession for 59 years. His performing career primarily focused on the Chu Opera stage, but he also participated in modern dramas. His notable works include "Panshi Bay" among others.

In 1979, a segment of Xu Dashu singing "Zhan Hua Wall" was recorded onto a small film record by Chengdu Record Factory. His voice is broad and gentle, with well-controlled breath. During performances, he skillfully employs techniques such as ups and downs and contrasts of loud and soft to portray characters' emotions. Xu Dashu emphasizes that innovation in Chu Opera should be closely connected to life and the times, advocating for the preservation of its "popular art" characteristics.

His repertoire covers both traditional and modern plays, with representative works including "Lü Mengzheng Campaigning at the Studio," "Hundred Days Fate," and modern plays like "Panshi Bay." Family-wise, Xu Dashu was a performer with the Hubei Chu Opera Troupe alongside Li Jianying. His daughter, Xu Fan, was influenced by Chinese opera from a young age. In the program "Same Classroom," Xu Fan recalled scenes of her father sending her to school and used a segment from "Bie Ying" (Back Shadow) to guide students in experiencing paternal love.

Furthermore, Xu Dashu actively supports the development of Chu Opera. In 2016, at the signing event for Xia Qingling's album, he delivered a speech calling for more attention and support for Chu Opera performers. In social activities, he participated in the second season of "Ding G Long Dong Qiang," broadcast in 2016, where he commented on performances by Peng Jiahui and Chu Opera inheritor Yu Weigang. He has repeatedly attended promotional activities related to Chu Opera, striving to promote the inheritance and innovation of traditional arts, emphasizing that Chu Opera should align with modern life.