名家简介，著名京剧表演艺术家侯永奎，北方昆曲演员。河北饶阳人。1912年生。从郝振基、陶显庭、王益友、张文生等学戏。演武生。十五岁登台，以《夜奔》、《打虎》、《蜈蚣岭》、《虎牢关》等剧著称。后拜名武生尚和玉为师，艺事精进。
1928年随韩世昌东渡日本演出数月。此后又曾与荀慧生、童芷苓等人合作演出昆剧和京剧。在天津与郝振基、陶显庭、马祥麟组织荣庆社，演出于京津一带，有活林冲之称。
解放后，先后参加北京人民艺术剧院、中央实验歌剧院、中国舞蹈学校、中央戏剧学院，教授古典舞并担任导演。1957年北方昆曲剧院成立，任教师和艺委副主任，除传统剧目外，还演出了新编历史剧《文成公主》、《吴越春秋》等。
1958年在《红霞》一劇中，成功地創造了紅軍赤衛隊長趙志剛的形象，为昆曲推陳出新做出了範例。1960年加入中國黨。
Hou Yongkui's Contributions to Beijing Opera
Hou Yongkui is a renowned Beijing Opera performer and a pioneer of Kunqu, a traditional Chinese opera form. Born in Raoxian, Hebei Province in 1912, he began his training under the guidance of masters such as Hao Zhenji, Tao Xianting, Wang Yiyong, and Zhang Wenxiong. At the age of fifteen, he made his stage debut with performances of "Night Pursuit," "Fighting Tigers," "Cunmeng Ridge," and "Tiger Fortress."
Later on, he studied under the tutelage of Shen Huayu and further refined his skills. In 1928, Hou traveled to Japan with Han Shichang to perform for several months. Upon his return to China, he collaborated with notable performers such as Xun Huisen and Tong Zhiling in both Kunqu and Beijing Opera productions.
In Tianjin, Hou joined forces with Hao Zhenji, Tao Xianting, and Ma Xiulin to establish the Honor Celebration Society (Rongqing She), which performed extensively throughout northern China. He was affectionately known as "Living Lin Chong" for his exceptional acting prowess.
After the founding of New China in 1949,
Hou became involved with various institutions including Beijing People's Art Theater (Beijing Renmin Juyi Daxue), Central Experimental Drama Institute (Zhongyang Shiying Juju), Chinese Dance School (Zhongguo Wuju Xuexiao), and Central Academy of Drama (Zhongyang Jingying Xuexiao). Thereinhe taught classical dance while also directing productions.
In addition,
Hou served as an instructor at North China Kunqu Theater Troupe () founded in 1957) where he not only preserved traditional repertoire but also participated in new historical plays like
"Wenhua Gongzhu" ()and
"Wuyue Chunqiu"(). His portrayal of Zhao Zhigang from red army ace team leader was praised for its innovative approach towards kunqu.
Lastly,
in 1960,Hou joined the Communist Party.
As an actor,
his most famous recordings include
"Dandao Hui,"
"Chanyi Jiang,"
"Nüli Jianniang,"
and
"Huanxiang."