The CCTV "Spring Festival Gala" went into its second
round of rehearsals on Wednesday night this time it was the turn of
the comedians and sketch artists to be put through their paces.
There are eleven sketch scenes and cross-talk acts on his years
line up.?????
Although some items, like Zhao Benshan's eagerly awaited
routines, still remain shrouded in mystery most of the others got
their first outing.?????
Compared to previous years, this year's short sketches appear
more accessible, featuring mainly ordinary life elements, with
themes like family attachment, love and friendship. Comedian Yan
Shunkai extends his father role from last year, in a new mini-play
called "A Kind Lie," telling of the moving relationship between
father and son.?????
Pan Changjiang stars in a comic sketch of a modern love story
titled "Carry on Love to the
Extreme."?????
Pan said, "This short play provides audience with a lot of food
for thought."?????
Past comic sketches usually applied northern China's dialects to
amuse, but this time, to cater to audience in both North and South,
the gala has enrolled some shows featuring stories from south and
with southern accents. For each program, the settings and details
are still in honing.?????
Zhao Benshan and Song Dandan, the most popular comic duo in the
gala didn't turn up. So the most anticipated comic sketches are
still a tantalizing X. Their earliest appearance may be at Friday's
rehearsal.???? ?
Wednesday's rehearsal also modified the orders of some
programs.?????
On the list so far are thirty-six programs in total, including
song and dance, cross talks, comic sketches, acrobatics and magics,
in the following rehearsals, each of which still faces danger to be
crossed off.?????
In dance category, from which came highlights for two
consecutive years, there are four on the list now. One is the
Chinese version of tap dance, which has been practised by Tibetan
people for thousands of years. The dance is a tradition originated
in La Zi, a place in Tibet Autonomous
Region.?????
Another gives the south China's elegancy a trendy modern touch.
This year's dance category also features a show played by merely
student performers. It seems that this year's gala is catering to
as most audience as possible.
(CCTV February 10, 2007)