Chinese comedy

Chinese comedy has a long history that dates back to the Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC to 221 BC) when the aristocracy kept jesters in their homes.^[1] At that time, however, people in society were profoundly influenced by the teachings of Confucius. Therefore, comic shows were usually looked down upon throughout the reign of feudal China. During the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)^[1] and Republic of China period, different styles of comedy began to flourish in big cities and the genres of crosstalk (in Chinese xiangsheng), comic drama began to emerge. Since 1980s, with the rapid development of media throughout the country, different kinds of comedy began to reach their climax. They became the most favorite forms of entertainment to the populace. Nowadays, the most popular genres of Chinese comedy are summarized as Chinese skit, Chinese acrobatics, Xiangsheng.

Chinese skit

Chinese skit is a form of performance which is related to small things in our daily lives. Chinese skit is generally regarded as originating in 1980s. It has inherited advantages and developed from other forms of comedy such as stage play, xiangsheng, errenzhuan and comic drama. One skit formulate just one topic, but with a lot of funny action, lively languages. Through promotion of Spring Festival Gala Evening in 20 years, Chinese skit becomes a very popular artistic form in China. The first skit in China was “eating noodle” (in 1984) which was performed by Chen Peisi.

Zhao Benshan

Today, the most popular Chinese skit performer is Zhao Benshan(born October 2, 1957). He is a master of Chinese skit. About 1.4 billion people look forward to his performance in Spring Festival Gala Evening every year.

Crosstalk

Crosstalk is referred to xiangsheng in Chinese. It is a traditional Chinese comedic performance in different forms of dialogue. Crosstalk is a language art combing four basic techniques: speaking, imitating, teasing, and singing. It can be conducted by one or two performers. It is one of the most popular forms of entertainment because its language is rich in puns as well as allusions.^[2] As time passed, new development has been applied to this traditional art in order to keep pace with the times. Cross talk is a most up-to-date performance. Comedians place emphasis on creating new works and injecting new elements into this traditional works making it more relevant the current affairs. Nowadays, the most paramount ones are Shanghai style and Duikou style.

Duikou crosstalk

Today, Duikou crosstalk is the most popular style in China. It is performed by two performers, one performer plays a role of wise man (main performer), and another performer plays a role of fool. The two have a funny conversation.

Guo Degang

It stands as an undisputed fact that Guo(born January 13, 1973) is the most popular crosstalk performing artist. Guo’s success is by no means from luck. Nor did he achieve the fame overnight. Previously, he had been performing in Dazhanian in Beijing more than 10 years. Therefore he is a veteran in terms of making people laugh. Nowadays, we have a so-called “Guo Degang phenomenon”^[3] which is signified by his unique performing style with his rich cultural backgrounds especially of Tianjin and his wide variety skills of playing different instruments and singing different operas such as Peking Opera and Pingju Opera. As his name has become a household name of China, more and more young people begin to enjoy his comic shows.

---

Shanghai style stand-up comedy (solo crosstalk)

The representative of Shanghai style stand-up comedy is “Shanghai Qing Kou” which is created by Zhou Libo – a most famous stand-up comedian in China nowadays. In terms of “Shanghai Qing Kou”, it originated from different forms of stand-up comedy in the local Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. It is a style of comedy where the performer speaks directly to the audience with the topics associated with the social hot spots. In the performances, the performer will include his/her personal experience and try to promote the pursuit of happy lifestyle.

Zhou Libo

Zhou Libo (born April 22, 1967) is the founder of “Shanghai Qing Kou” as well as a representative of Shanghai style stand-up comedy. After his shows came out in 2008, he became an overnight sensation. Not only were all the tickets sold out very quickly in every his show but also thousands of people talked about Zhou Libo in that he has already become a public figure in Shanghai. Talking about urban lives, economic and political issues in a mixture of Shanghai dialect, Putonghua and some English words, Zhou's performances have been acclaimed by Shanghai citizens, who long for a local star to speak to their culture. .Zhou's genre, which he terms haipai qingkou or "Shanghai-style stand-up comedy", is different from Guo's xiangsheng or Xiaoshenyang's errenzhuan, they are all parts of a flourishing scene of live comic talk shows, a cultural phenomenon that has drawn more and more attention in recent years in China. Zhou Libo’s television works include “Mr. Zhou's Live Show” and “China's Got Talent”.^[4]

Chinese Acrobatics

Chinese Acrobatic is one of the oldest performing arts in China; it started from Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC) .^[5] By the time of the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD),^[6] the acrobatic art further developed in content and variety. In the Tang Dynasty, the number of acrobats increased enormously and their performing skills improved a great deal. Chinese acrobatics can also be called a national art. In the past two decades, some acrobats in China have taken this folk art to a new height. The basics of Chinese Acrobatic are balancing, tumbling, dancing, flexibility, and strength are taught in the first two years, and students spend the next three to five years perfecting specific acts. Then, they will do their first performances when they reach the age of sixteen or seventeen.

Reference

1. ^ ^{a b} [<http://news.cultural-china.com/20090610112412.html?PHPSESSID=0abcfb166fec607eba491596f30d4bcc> "Zhou Libo, More than a Stand-up Comedian - Culture China."]. News - Cultural China.. Web. 12 August 2010. <http://news.cultural-china.com/20090610112412.html?PHPSESSID=0abcfb166fec607eba491596f30d4bcc>. Retrieved Web. 14 August 2010. 
2. ^ "Dashan: Xiangsheng". Dashan. http://www.dashan.com/en/projects/xiangsheng.htm. Retrieved Web. 12 August 2010. 
3. ^ "Guo Degang". China Daily. http://china-corner.com/article_list.asp?id=689. Retrieved Web. 12 August 2010 
4. ^ "壹周立波秀.". 豆豆地图.. Web. 12 August 2010. http://sina.doudouditu.cn/shdtq/2010-02-24/177.html 
5. ^ "Chinese Acrobatics.". China Tour, Beijing Tour, Beijing China Tour, Beijing Travel.. Web. 12 August 2010. http://www.beijingservice.com/beijinghighlights/acrobatics.htm. Retrieved Web. 14 August 2010. 
6. ^ "Destiny, the Culture of China - Acrobatics.". Oracle ThinkQuest Library.. Web. 12 August 2010. http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/acrobatics.html. Retrieved Web. 14 August 2010. 

External links

• Mu Qian. "Old 'xiangsheng'stirs up New Laughs in Teahouse." China Daily Website - Connecting China Connecting the World. Web. 12 August 2010.<http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/21/content_522278.htm>.
• "赵本山_百度百科." 百度百科――全球最大中文百科全书. Web. 12 August 2010. <http://baike.baidu.com/view/2783.htm>.
• "Zhou Libo - Windows Live." Seven Castles - Windows Live. Web. 12 August 2010. <http://sevencastles.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!7C5A2F3DB6C97D9A!25751.entry>.