Claim: Ma Lan is a popular performer in the Huangmei opera, having played numerous roles in the art form, which developed from 200 year old Chinese rural folksong and dance.
Evidence: Ma Lan (born 23 April 1962) is a Chinese performing artist of Huangmei opera who usually plays dan (female) roles. Before her abrupt (and unannounced) departure from the stage in 2000, Ma Lan was considered the most popular Huangmei opera performer in the country. Feng Suzhen Yunhua Zhang Yuliang Bicui Cui Yingying Lady Tian Jia Baoyu Zhu Yingtai Huangmei or Huangmei tone (黃梅戲 or 黃梅調, pinyin: Huángméixì or Huángméidiào) originated as a form of rural folksong and dance that has been in existence for the last 200 years and possibly longer.