(Beijing Weekend)
Updated: 2007-10-05 18:21

Women may be known for filling their idle hours with all sorts of gossip, but it has been Chinese men who grab the glory for having the gift of the gab onstage. Taiwan director Stan Lai's new play, Total Woman, gives the ladies a chance to shine as stars of the crosstalk genre.

The creator of 1985 ground-breaking drama, That Night We Crosstalk, Lai is back with a three-woman crosstalk show, featuring Taiwan's top comedian Fang Fang, popular talk-show host Ah-Ya, and actress Yang Ting from the mainland.

It is Lai's attempt to modernize the popular Chinese comedy by adding female voices.

"I have been thinking of creating a phenomenal play that lets women speak for themselves in the traditionally male-dominated field of Chinese stand-up comedy," said Lai. "And three women in a crosstalk play is unique. Traditionally there is a pair of actors. But in Total Woman, we see a diversity of women's images on stage."

Total Woman debuted in Taipei in 2005, and Lai is now dedicating his time to tailoring it for the mainland audience.

The play begins with Betty and Annie hosting a gala event for a women's product firm called Total Woman. They wait for an old woman, reportedly a cross-talk master. But the old woman doesn't show up. Her granddaughter Funny (Fang Fang) later comes and tells them the old lady has passed away. As the show must go on, Funny then performs instead of her grandmother.

"The audience will find the three characters talk about a plethora of topics for two hours. But their talking is full of wisdom and humor, which will make you laugh again and again," promised the director.

The drama also provides a rare chance for mainland audiences to enjoy Taiwan comedy queen Fang Fang's spectacular acting, as she switches quickly from her role as a sharp-tongued woman to a little girl, from a weak-minded old lady to a male tricycle cabbie. Fang demonstrates more of her talents with the character Funny, recounting how grandma groomed her to have profound rhetorical skills, such as a stock market announcer, bus attendant, elevator operator and finally, waitress at a restaurant in Taipei where the bill is loudly accounted for in front of the customer.

From 100 to 580 yuan, Oct 5 and 6, Beizhan Theater, Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian District. 6835-4455.