Chinese Famous Crosstalk Performer and Co-founder of De Yun Society, Guo Degang’s scheduled performance for the 10th anniversary tour of the Kirin Drama Society at the Poly Grand Theatre in Xi’an on August 15 has been canceled. The theater is currently processing ticket refunds. Previously, during his performance in Wuhan, Guo Degang improvised and altered the lyrics of a revolutionary song, which led to a report being filed against him and an investigation being launched.
According to reports from The Paper on August 14, the Poly Grand Theatre in Xi’an stated that the scheduled performance of the “Kirin Drama Society’s 10th Anniversary Tour- Xi’an Station” on the evening of August 15 at the theater has been canceled, and ticket refunds are available.
On July 24, during the performance of the Peking Opera “The Living Buddha Ji Gong” at the Wuhan Kirin Drama Society, Guo Degang humorously altered the lyrics of the revolutionary song “Play My Pipa Quietly by Lake Weishan,” changing it to “Quietly in the Forbidden City,” and adding joking phrases like “Buddha, Ye, Tathagata, Mommy, Mommy, Hush,” which led to a report being filed against him.
On August 11, the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism stated that although the performance had obtained legal permission, Guo Degang’s altered singing segment was not reflected in the approval materials, which might have violated the “Regulations on the Management of Commercial Performances,” thus triggering a legal investigation procedure.
The news of the cancellation of the Xi’an performance has once again sparked wide attention on social media.
Many netizens commented on Weibo, stating: “Guo Degang is being investigated for altering a segment of ‘The Living Buddha Ji Gong’ in Peking Opera where he spontaneously ‘refreshed’ the lyrics, changing ‘Quietly by Lake Weishan’ to ‘Quietly in the Forbidden City.’ This unreported verse alteration has led to the cancellation of the Xi’an tour station.”
“It seems like the other stations of ‘The Living Buddha Ji Gong’ have also been taken down, not just Xi’an. Now only the crosstalk performances are left. I wonder if crosstalk can withstand this scrutiny. If crosstalk gets taken down too, then we have a big problem.”
“The informant has a big problem; why are we still engaging in political persecution in this day and age.” “This is such a trivial matter; the real issue is that evil spirits are taking advantage of the situation.” “If a few billion aren’t pulled out, this won’t be easily resolved.”
“I suddenly realize that it’s no longer about daring to speak on stage but about daring to laugh offstage.” “Everyone is feeling insecure, no comments will be made on this.”