Xiangsheng

Crosstalk, also known by its Chinese name xiangsheng (Simplified Chinese: 相声, Traditional Chinese: 相聲, pinyin: xiàngsheng, literally, "looking at each other and speaking"), is a traditional Chinese comedy form.Haas, Benjamin.  "‘Who’s on First?’ Finds a Home in Chinese Clubs," New York Times. March 2, 2011; retrieved 2011-1121.  Crosstalk is a special kind of dialogue and a special kind of performance.   "Dashan - Ambassador to China's Funny Bone", National Film Board of Canada; retrieved 2011-11-21.

The comic language has many puns and allusions.  The words are spoken in a fast, rushed manner.  The comedy is a kind of banter. 

According to Canadian crosstalk comedian Dashan (Mark Rowswell),Dashan, "Who is Dashan? ; retrieved 2011-11-21.  the closest equivalent in English would be Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" sketch. "Anonymity to fade for Ottawa man who's a star in China," Ottawa Citizen, March 22, 2006; retrieved 2011-11-22.

Format
Modern crosstalk is made up of four skills–speaking (Simplified Chinese: 说, Traditional Chinese: 說, pinyin: shuō), imitating (Simplified Chinese: 学, Traditional Chinese: 學, pinyin: xué), teasing (Simplified and Traditional Chinese: 逗, pinyin: dòu), and singing (Simplified and Traditional chinese: 唱, pinyin: chàng).Garrison, Laura Turner.  "Translating China's Xiangsheng Comedy Scene,"  SplitSider. February 8, 2011; retrieved 2011-11-21.

History
Crosstalk was popular during the Qing Dynasty. It is also a standard feature of CCTV's annual New Year's Gala.Jones, Omar.  "The greatest show on earth: Spring Festival gala TV special,"  See China. December 31, 2009; retrieved 2011-11-22.

Related pages
 Manzai
 Stand-up comedy

References

 Other websites 
 Crosstalk Collections 中华笑海 (Simplified Chinese) 
 China Crosstalk Online 中国相声网 (Simplified Chinese) 
 Comedians Workshop 相聲瓦舍 (Traditional Chinese)

Category:Comedy
Category:Chinese culture