# Wei Changsheng

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**Wei Changsheng** (Chinese: 魏長生; pinyin: *Wèi Chángshēng*, 1744–1802), [courtesy name](/source/Courtesy_name) **Wanqing** (婉卿), also known as **Wei San** (Chinese: 魏三; pinyin: *Wèi Sān*; literally: *Wei Three*), was a Chinese *[qinqiang](/source/Qinqiang)* (*bangzi* opera) actor of the [Qing dynasty](/source/Qing_dynasty) who played *[huadan](/source/Dan_role)* roles (i.e. he impersonated bubbly young women). In 1779, during his second trip to [Beijing](/source/Beijing), he created such a sensation that theatregoers flocked to his performances away from *gaoqiang* (preferred by commoners) and *[kunqu](/source/Kunqu)* (preferred by Qing emperors), thereby permanently changing the landscape of [Chinese opera](/source/Chinese_opera). In order to curb the craze (and also because Wei's performances were often obscene[1]) the Qing government expelled him and *qinqiang* from Beijing in 1785.[2] He went south to perform *kunqu* in [Yangzhou](/source/Yangzhou),[3] but many of his innovations and art remained in the capital and were absorbed by [Peking opera](/source/Peking_opera) several decades later.[2]

Wei Changsheng had a reputation for being immoral, and likely had a homosexual relationship with [Heshen](/source/Heshen), the most influential politician of the time.[4]

## References

1. Li Xiaoti (2019). *Opera, Society, and Politics in Modern China*. [Harvard-Yenching Institute](/source/Harvard-Yenching_Institute). p. 180. ISBN 9780674987166.

1. Brandon, James R. (ed.) (1993). *The Cambridge Guide to Asian Theatre*. [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). p. 32. ISBN 0-521-58822-7.

1. Jiang, Jin (2011). *Women Playing Men: Yue Opera and Social Change in Twentieth-century Shanghai*. [University of Washington Press](/source/University_of_Washington_Press). p. 28. ISBN 978-0-295-98843-6.

1. Mackerras, Colin (2009). "Yangzhou Local Theatre in the Second Half of the Qing". *Lifestyle and Entertainment in Yangzhou*. Olivová, Lucie B. (ed.). [NIAS Press](/source/NIAS_Press). p. 214–16. ISBN 978-87-7694-035-5.

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