Chang Baohua

Chang Baohua (December 1930 – 7 September 2018) was a Chinese xiangsheng comedian of Manchu ethnicity. He was one of the sixth generation of well-known Chinese xiangsheng actors. He authored one hundred and seventy works. Chang was a member of the Communist Party of China and a first-level national actor.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chang.
Chang Baohua
BornDecember 1930
Tianjin, China
Died7 September 2018(2018-09-07) (aged 87)
Beijing, China
NationalityChinese
GenresXiangsheng
SpouseFu Tianzhen
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese常寶華
Simplified Chinese常宝华
Hanyu PinyinCháng Bǎohuá

Early life and family

Chang was born to an impoverished family in Tianjin in 1930. His brother's and father's xiangsheng performances supported the family. Initially, Chang could not attend school but the education of a wealthy neighbour's child engendered in him a desire to learn. When the family's fortunes changed for the better, Chang attended a private elementary school in Tianjin where he was a good student.

Chang married and had five children. His granddaughter Chang Si won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in synchronised swimming.[1]

Training

Chang was taught by his father, Chang Lianan, and his brother, Chang Baofang. Chang debuted at nine years of age and later appeared at a xiangsheng convention at the Qi Ming Tea House, in the Xi Dan shopping mall, Beijing.

Career

In 1942, Chang performed in Beautiful Song City (锦绣歌城) and Huatian Bacuo (花田八错).[2] In 1951, when he was twenty-one, Chang acknowledged Ma Sanli as his artistic master. Chang joined the Tianjin Folk Artist Mission and received a "Third-class Labor Model" award from the Tianjin Literature and Art Union.

In 1951, during the Korean War, Chang entertained Chinese soldiers. His brother had been killed in the war. In 1953, Chang enlisted in the working group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army department of the navy. He received the second military award twice and the third military award once.

In the Cultural Revolution, Chang was attacked and this experience became a source of his artistic material. In 1976, Chang and his nephew, Chang Guitian, collaborated to produce the xiangsheng Hats Factory.

Chang later became a judge and a teacher of xiangsheng at institutions such as Peking University and at the North Folk Art Forms School. He visited Hong Kong, America, and Singapore.

In August 2006, Chang received a Peony award for his contribution to the performing arts in China.[3]

Chang died in Beijing on 7 September 2018.[4][5]

Works

Chang authored over 170 works in the genres of xiangsheng, short sketches and kuaiban (clappertalk). Fifty of these appeared in newspapers. Yesterday (昨天) was translated into English and published in foreign language newspapers. Hat Factory (帽子工厂) and short sketch Language Doctor (语言医生) were published in the Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao in an article called Selected Xiangsheng of Chang's Family (常氏相声选).

References
  1. Chunni's Weekend Show (2015-06-25). "常宝华携孙子常远 孙女常思做客春妮家" [Chang Baohua along with grandson Chang Yuan and granddaughter Chang Si Pay a Visit to Chunni's Home]. Sohu (in Chinese).
  2. "常宝华:相声的学问在书中." Gmw.cn 24 December 2007. Accessed 5 June 2012.
  3. "梨园百年琐记 - 事件: 第四届中国曲艺牡丹奖揭晓." Accessed 5 June 2012.
  4. "著名相声表演艺术家常宝华去世 多人发文缅怀" (in Chinese). 163.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  5. "著名相声表演艺术家常宝华去世 享年88岁" (in Chinese). QQ.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
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