Beijing Cross Talk

Another famous Beijing stage performance is known as "Cross Talk". Generally, Cross Talk is a comic dialogue, characterized by two actors humorously talking back and forth. It originated in Beijing. It formed during the period ruled by the Qing Dynasty emperors Xianfeng and Tongzhi. Up until the late period of the Qing Dynasty, cross talk exhibited a certain feature: it is narrated and performed in the heavy Beijing dialect. Surely, there are also Cross Talk performances spoken in different local dialects, particularly in northern China. In the process of its formation, it absorbed the qualities of speaking techniques and book-narration. It often expands truth, kindness, and beauty through satirical medium. The main techniques include speaking, animated body expressions, jokes, and singing. Famous Cross Talk performers include Hou Baolin, Ma Sanli, Liu Baorui, and Ma Ji. These days, Cross Talk is still popular, and can be seen in more modern media, such as television and radio.