The comedy Crazy Messages centers around the fierce competition between two rival message companies. Everybody in the play is linked by a thread of messages.
Using light humor, the play is a satire of how modern technology, represented by cell phone messages, is suffocating true feelings between people.
Well-known cross talk artist Yang Shaohua and his son Yang Yi, also in the cross talk business, team up in the play. The calm humor of the father and the quick wit of the son complement each other and create a harmonious and humorous atmosphere.
Yang Yi, an actor of Crazy Messages, said:"New is the right word to describe our play. The idea of the play is new. Almost all the actors are new, and so are our director and producer. Sure, my father and I are both veteran cross talkers, but for stage drama, we're absolute first timers."
Crazy Messages has director Hang Cheng in the helm. The comedy premiered at Beijing's Poly Theater on the night of September 25 and will head off on a national tour in November.
(CCTV.com September 27, 2003)