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Chinese learners are playing it for laughs

2014-11-17 09:27 Shanghai Daily Web Editor: Qian Ruisha
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Carl Eo (left) performs crosstalk with fellow enthusiast Lu Daju. — Wang Rongjiang

Carl Eo (left) performs crosstalk with fellow enthusiast Lu Daju. — Wang Rongjiang

Carl Eo, a South Korean living in Shanghai and who uses Chinese in his work, recently joined a club of amateurs devoted to xiangsheng, or crosstalk.

"I am fascinated by crosstalk, and we all have a lot of fun together," said Eo, one of the club's eight foreign members. Others come from countries including Sweden, France, Canada and Cameroon.

Xiangsheng is a popular Chinese comedy genre structured as a dialogue, usually between two performers and drawing heavily on puns and allusions for laughs. The art form is believed to have originated as street performances of jokey banter in the mid-1800s during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It evolved into performances in teahouses and theaters, and eventually onto radio and television.

Xiangsheng, which literally translates as "face and voice," involves four skills — speaking, imitating, teasing and singing and is regarded in China as a highly skilled form of performing art beyond the reach of most native speakers. The performers are traditionally male.

Although quintessentially Chinese, the rapid-fire wordplay is sometimes compared with the Marx Brothers, Monty Python or Laurel and Hardy banter, though it's hard to make easy comparisons with any Western comedy genre.

Canadian crosstalk comedian Dashan, also known as Mark Rowswell, says the closest equivalent in English would be Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" sketch. Dashan is one of the most famous foreigners in China because of his success in xiangsheng.

As a pupil of xiangsheng master Jiang Kun, Dashan has appeared frequently on China's national and regional television programs to perform xiangsheng, including the annual New Year gala of China Central Television.

In Shanghai, Eo's club is called Bailingshe — white-collar club. It was established in 2012 and has 85 members, who come from all walks of life, drawn by their common love of crosstalk.

Professional performer Zhang Wenze helps the club's amateurs learn the finer points of the art. He was an apprentice of Hou Yaohua, the son of the late crosstalk master Hou Baolin.

"Xiangsheng is called the art of laughter, but it is a very serious art," Zhang explained. "It can refer to social phenomena and political issues through humorous storytelling. A deep and sensitive vision, plus formal language skills and stage skills are required to be a good xiangsheng performer."

Mandarin skills

Crosstalk traditionally was performed in Beijing dialect. Bailingshe members also learn and practice in Mandarin, as foreigner members must have proper Mandarin skills.

The courses are available twice a week with same content, as members can choose the suitable time for the course given in a creative zone in Yangpu District.

They learn standard xiangsheng skills and formats as well as sketches that teachers and members created by themselves, honed for specific performers and audience.

"If we have a performance in a local elderly nursing home, we will change the Peking Opera into Yueju Opera, which is more familiar to Shanghainese, for better effect," Zhang said. "Our members will also use more Shanghai dialect in the performance."

In addition to having fun, many club members find that mastering xiangsheng techniques helps them at home and at work.

"We apply xiangsheng skills when meeting new clients and doing presentations at work, and it really makes for better results," said Lu Daju, a communications company manager and veteran club member.

"We also use the same skills to build better relationships with friends and family. If nothing else, crosstalk makes our life more colorful."

Eo couldn't agree more.

"I feel so happy to be with other people learning and practicing crosstalk," he said. "We laugh all the time. I studied Mandarin for three years after I came to Shanghai, but sometimes I got bored with studying. Crosstalk has given me a new passion for learning the language. There are so many interesting Chinese words and stories told in xiangsheng."

Teacher Zhang said crosstalk is an excellent way for foreigners to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture, though the linguistic intricacies of some routines might be hard to follow.

"It is not easy for foreigners because we have to explain the words and the meaning behind them," Zhang said. "It's a good channel for promoting Chinese culture beyond our borders. There are crosstalk clubs opening in America and Europe by Chinese who went abroad to work or study. Xiangsheng provides a great way to stay in touch with home."

Bailingshe will stage charity performances on November 22, 23 and 30 at the Daning Theater in Zhabei District on Pingxingguan Road. All takings will be donated to help pay for treatment of poor leukemia patients at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University.

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