Best Collection of Ma Ji's Crosstalk Performances

Author: Wang Zhangwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Two years ago, I celebrated my 70th birthday. For an old actor who has burned on stage for 50 years, this is not an easy age to accept. It means my stage career is coming to an end, and it also means I will have time to slowly reflect on the path I've walked, to savor each program I've written and performed, and to jot down my feelings both on and off stage. I call all this the "Period Project." Honestly, I've accepted this reality, but I'm not resigned to it. "Crosstalk is the art of language."—this phrase often marks the beginning of a crosstalk piece, and I've said it countless times on stage. But mostly off stage. This phrase encapsulates my understanding of crosstalk. Of course, with the changing times, no one can be sure what the future standards will be, but as a pinnacle of Chinese humor art, crosstalk is undeniable in its mastery of language. For me, it will always be the art of language.
Crosstalk is a "folk art" that originated in the Beijing area and has developed for over a century. Its artistic elements can be traced back to the jesters of the Zhou and Qin dynasties, but the formation of its unique form—combining storytelling, imitation, humor, and singing—was the creation of modern artists. Its performance, which primarily uses "storytelling" as its expressive function and "punchlines" as its main artistic technique, is a direct way to captivate the audience. Its enduring vitality stems from its deep roots in the lives of the common people, reflecting their living conditions, joys, sorrows, and aspirations. This provides a solid foundation for performances to connect with the audience. When we watch the masterpieces of renowned performers, we can deeply feel this. It is precisely because of the close connection between crosstalk and the masses that crosstalk artists, through direct audience feedback, continuously refine and polish beloved works, turning them into timeless classics. These works are the foundation supporting the continuation and preservation of crosstalk's aesthetic characteristics. Today, these works not only continue to bring joy to audiences but also nourish the long river of crosstalk's ongoing development. Only by valuing the excellent tradition can innovation become richer and more vibrant.
In my opinion, for crosstalk to achieve new developments and maintain its popularity among audiences, the following three aspects of creation are crucial. First, it is essential to inherit and draw on the valuable legacy of crosstalk, persisting in performing excellent traditional programs. An outstanding performer should be able to perform over 100 traditional segments without too high a demand. Second, continue to explore, organize, and adapt traditional segments that are both excellent and flawed, as the saying goes, "each selection brings newness," preserving the essence of their performance while giving them positive ideological significance. Third, encourage the creation of crosstalk works that reflect contemporary life, broaden the scope of themes, and avoid being frivolous or slick. The works of Ma Ji, Jiang Kun, and Yang Zhenhua serve as successful examples. Today's vast social development and rich and varied social life provide an inexhaustible supply of vivid material for crosstalk to fully showcase its essence of humor and satire.
This book selects eighty classic segments from Ma Ji's fifty years of career, covering his performances, creations, inheritances, and arrangements.