Xiang Sheng is a form of art performance with a long history, a wide circulation and a solid masses base. Although the Xiang Sheng artists regarded Dongfang Shuo in Han Dynasty as the founder of the art of Xiang Sheng, but it was in Tong Guang Years of Qing Dynasty when this art actually came into being and developed. In early years, there were No-fearing Poor (Zhu Shaowen), Wan Renmi and Li Dexi, etc. performing at the Sky Bridge in
Beijing. And they contributed much to the creation and development of the art of Xiang Sheng. They have created many new stories in their practical performances, which greatly enriched the contents of the art of Xiang Sheng. Although the art of xiang Sheng originated in Beijing, but, as a port city,
Tianjin is very close to Beijing, and it has become a must place for many players of the art of Xiang Sheng. And there appears appears a trend that any of the new stories should obtain the approval from audiences in the City of Tianjin at first before it is going to be showed in Beijing.
Many of the Xiang Sheng performers have played in Tianjin for several years, and after they achieved fame, they will be shown before the audiences throughout the country, such as Hou Baolin, Zhang Shouchen, Guo Rongqi. The oldest artist in the current circle of the art of Xiang Sheng is Ma Sanli, who became famous first in Tianjin, too. Apart from them, Chang Lian'an, Chang Baokun, Chang Baoting, Bai Quanfu, Su Wenmao, Gao Yingpei and Fan Zhenyu, etc. are all in the same case. Although Tianjin is not the home of the art of Xiang Sheng, it is real rich soil, on which the art of Xiang Sheng is growing and developing. The citizens of Tianjin love the art pattern of Xiang Sheng, and the performances of Xiang Sheng have brought much more pleasure and laughters to them.
