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About Crosstalk: Xiangshen |
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Original text special to CRIENGLISH.com
Xiangsheng, sometimes
translated as crosstalk, is a traditional Chinese comedic performance
in the form of a monologue or a dialogue. The language, rich in puns
and allusions, is used in a rapid, bantering style. Xiangsheng is one
of China's foremost performing arts.
Canadian xiangsheng
comedian Dashan (Mark Rowswell) says the closest equivalent in English
would be Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" sketch.
The
term "xiangsheng" originally referred to the act of imitating someone's
speech and actions. It rose as a performing act during the Ming
Dynasty. From the Qing Dynasty to the 1920s, xiangsheng gradually
developed to become a style of comedic monologue. Later xiangsheng came
to be performed as a dialogue and sometimes even in groups of three or
more.
The earliest xiangsheng comedian known by name is Zhang Sanlu, who performed in the mid nineteenth century.
Xiangsheng
is a standard feature of China Central Television's annual Spring
Festival television program and other popular performing arts shows in
China.
Modern xiangsheng is made up of four skills - speaking, imitating, teasing, and singing.
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