Just for laughs

Looking ahead

The value of live performances has never been clearer in an age dominated by digital screens, Yan says.

"By attending shows in person, audiences support the art form in its most authentic and rewarding way," he adds.

At the performance venue, comedy lovers gather like family, sharing joy and laughter. Over time, xiangsheng has woven itself into the lives of its performers, providing emotional fulfillment that transcends financial gain, he says.

Yan also acknowledges the need for financial stability to nurture their creative efforts in a competitive landscape.

"A steady stream of ticket buyers is essential for retaining talent and fostering innovation," he says.

Nishida is confident of the unifying power of comedy. "I understand how challenging it is for a Japanese person to learn cross-talk in China, but my master Ding always emphasized that art knows no boundaries," he says.

Xiangsheng has given him the opportunity to meet young Chinese performers and friends from around the world, according to Nishida. "Before coming to China, I never imagined I would stand on stage and make a Chinese audience laugh," he adds. "Being Japanese or Chinese doesn't matter. We must first understand each other. To me, this is a truly magical connection."

Shyshov looks to the future of xiangsheng with hope.

"I hope that years from now, when we can no longer perform, our students will become the teachers. This art form must be passed down through generations," Shyshov says.

Huang echoes the sentiment and wishes for the continued growth of their collaborative efforts. "We hope what we've created together, like a cherished work or even a child, can flourish," she says.

Yan expresses a simple yet profound goal. "I want to accompany these foreign friends who love Chinese comedy, attract more foreigners to China and inspire even more people abroad to appreciate our culture," Yan says. "If our cross-talk show achieves this, then we've succeeded."

He points to a world where shared futures and connections are vital. "What does it mean to have a community with a shared future? It's about everyone sitting together, joking and laughing, regardless of nationality or ethnicity," Yan says.

Lu Huimin and Xu Yuxincontributed to this story.