Gao Yingpei's Best Collection of Xiangsheng Performances

Author: Wang Zhangwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: A measure of integrity, a measure of fortune. Xiangsheng is an evergreen art. People call it the "all-purpose glue," the "tricky sitter," the "ground-based cannon," and "troublemaking second mother." Peace has one number, leisure is fishing, and lessons are unforgettable. Once we see Gao Yingpei, we can't help but laugh! Because of the close connection between Xiangsheng art and the masses, Xiangsheng performers constantly refine and polish works loved by the audience through direct audience feedback, making them timeless classics. These works are the foundation supporting the continuation and development of Xiangsheng art while preserving its aesthetic characteristics. Today, these works not only continue to bring joy to audiences but also nourish the long river of Xiangsheng art's continuous development. Only by valuing the fine tradition can innovation become richer and more vibrant. Xiangsheng is a "peasant art" that originated in the Beijing area and has developed for over a hundred years. Its artistic elements can be traced back to the paiyou (comic performers) of the Zhou and Qin dynasties, but the formation of the art form that combines "telling, learning, joking, and singing" was a creation of modern artists. Its performance, which primarily uses "telling" as its expressive function and "punchlines" as its main artistic technique, is a direct way to captivate the audience. Its vitality lies in its deep roots in the lives of the masses, reflecting their living conditions, joys, sorrows, hopes, and aspirations. This provides a solid foundation for performances to engage the audience. When we watch the masterpieces of famous performers, we can deeply feel this. Precisely because of the close connection between Xiangsheng art and the masses, Xiangsheng performers, through direct audience feedback, constantly refine and polish works loved by the audience, making them timeless classics. These works are the foundation supporting the continuation and development of Xiangsheng art while preserving its aesthetic characteristics. Today, these works not only continue to bring joy to audiences but also nourish the long river of Xiangsheng art's continuous development. Only by valuing the fine tradition can innovation become richer and more vibrant. For Xiangsheng art to achieve new development and remain beloved by audiences in the process, adherence to the following three aspects is crucial from a creative perspective. First, value the inheritance and reference of the valuable legacy of Xiangsheng art, and insist on performing excellent traditional reserved programs. An outstanding performer should be able to perform one hundred traditional reserved segments, which should not be considered too high a requirement. Second, continue to explore, organize, and adapt traditional segments that are both excellent and flawed, as the saying goes, "each selection brings a new piece," preserving the essence of their performance while giving them positive ideological significance. Third, encourage the creation of Xiangsheng works that reflect real life, broaden the themes, and avoid being petty and slick. The works of Ma Ji, Jiang Kun, and Yang Zhenhua serve as successful examples. Today's vast social development and the rich diversity of social life provide an inexhaustible supply of vivid material for Xiangsheng art to fully showcase its essence of humor and satire.