Skills of Xiangsheng in the Song and Yuan Dynasties and Its Artistic Use in Drama

Xiangsheng is a civic art skill in the Song and Yuan Dynasties,which means the imitation of sounds and mimic performances of well-known figures or images. The skill of xiangsheng can trace back to primitive imitation of sounds in mountain valleys and animals,and it is used in religious rites,dances and acrobatics,entertaining performances and even everyday life. Absorbed into the Yuan poetic drama and Southern Opera in Song and Yuan,the xiangsheng skill has such functions as making special sounds,deriving plots and facilitating comical effects.