Shanghai classic comedy drama performer Zhou Bochun is seen in a file photo. Zhou died of pneumonia on March 25, 2008. He was 86. [File Photo: yule.sohu.com]

Zhou Bochun, 86, a Shanghai classic comedy drama performer whose works entertained locals over the past 70 years, died of pneumonia on Tuesday.

Zhou, whose original name was Yao Zhenmin, was born in Shanghai. Together with his elder brother Yao Mushuang, Zhou began performing in 1939 on a local radio channel.

Zhou and Yao established Bubble Bee Comic Troupe in 1950. Both served Shanghai People's Comic Troupe and Shanghai Farce Troupe.

His stage images reflected the life and spirit of the city in the past century, which also gained him a place in the city's farce drama history.

Both Zhou and Yao graduated from a famous local high school. In one of their masterpieces -- "Learning English," -- Zhou recited the alphabet in a reverse order. The drama, which showed audience the funny side of Chinglish, had been aired in the United States.

Zhou's funeral will be held at Long-Hua Parlor at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

(CRI March 26, 2008)