This paper sifts through newspapers from 1898 to 1915 to objectively observe the dynamic process of the Ningbo Kunqu troupes' integration into the Shanghai theatrical system, reconstructing the significance of their performances in Shanghai. Originating from Suzhou, Ningbo Kunqu actors underwent training in Suzhou, but in the late Qing, the dominance of Suzhou Kunqu troupes in Shanghai was waning. In contrast, Ningbo Kunqu troupes performed in Shanghai theaters with greater acclaim than Suzhou groups. This history has received very few attentions, with Kunqu studies traditionally focusing on Suzhou. However, to construct a complete history of Kunqu performances and dissemination, it's crucial to pay more attention to Kunqu troupes beyond those from Suzhou.
The paper begins by overviewing the socio-economic structure of Ningbo immigrants in Shanghai during the late Qing Dynasty and the cultural ecology of Shanghai before the arrival of Ningbo Kunqu troupes. It then analyzes theater advertisements to discuss the evolution and interplay of Ningbo Kunqu troupes' operations in various marketing phases. The study also delves into changes in repertoire to observe the functional transformation of theater and investigates the influence of neighboring regions like Xinchang tune and Wu opera, to understand the derivatives of Kunqu's dissemination. In conclusion, the Ningbo merchant group dedicated to unifying the immigrant community and expand their influence, collaborating with the press and literati to use Ningbo Kunqu troupes as a vessel for shaping opera culture and transmitting group consciousness. The Ningbo Kunqu troupes' performances in Shanghai symbolize a case of reverse dissemination of Kunqu, contributing to the history of Kunqu opera performances and constructing the cultural context of Kunqu's spread during the late Qing Dynasty.