Cross-Talk

Crosstalk is a kind of folk rap. Speaking, learning, playing, singing as the form, highlight its characteristics. Famous crosstalk performers include Zhang Shouchen, Ma Sanli, Hou Baolin, Liu Baorui, Ma ji, Hou Yaowen, Su Wenmao, Niu Qun, Feng Gong, Jiang Kun, Guo Degang, Yu Qian and so on.

Cradle

Crosstalk has three origins: Beijing Tianqiao, Tianjin Quanye Farm and Nanjing Confucius Temple. It is divided into the northern and southern schools, which are generally believed to have been formed during the reign of Xianfeng and Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty. It is mainly spoken in Beijing dialect, and there are cross-talk in local dialect. A form of crosstalk that uses jokes, funny questions and answers, and rap to make the audience laugh. Often used as satire, it is now also used to celebrate new people and new things.

Representative

Zhang Sanlu is one of the earliest crosstalk artists in modern society. According to the relevant records and speculation, Zhang Sanlu’s artistic career began during the Daoguang years of the Qing Dynasty.

Zhu Shao Wen (1829 -- 1904) was the founder of crosstalk.

During the Anti-Japanese War, some crosstalk performers showed their national integrity. Chang Bao Kun was arrested twice for lampooning the Japanese government, and Zhang Shou Chen publicly praised Ji Hong Chang and others for their resistance to Japan and criticized the authorities for their policy of non-resistance.

Classification of Crosstalk

According to the Number of people:

Comic Monologue: usually performed by one person. This is a very long cross talk, more attention to jokes.

Crosstalk: usually performed by two people. One of them would joke or do antics, and the other would play along.

Group Crosstalk: the number of performers is three or more.

According to content:

Comic Dialogue: can satirize the performer himself or others.

Entertainment Crosstalk: usually performed during festivals.