Canadian comedian’s grasp of Putonghua helps him become China’s ‘most famous foreigner’

For most Western expatriates in China, it would seem an impossible mission: earning a living by performing the most linguistically challenging stand-up comedies in flawless Putonghua, with genuine humour.

But Mark Rowswell, a Canadian widely known by his stage name 'Dashan' in China, has succeeded more than once. In the past 30 years, he has built an enduring career.

Often dubbed China's "most famous foreigner", Dashan is admired for his impeccable grasp of the Chinese language.

Now, after three decades of extraordinary feats in China as a performer of typical Chinese crosstalk routines (a traditional form of theatrical banter), TV presenter, dramatic actor, and cultural ambassador, the 49-year-old is using his linguistic skills to conquer a new realm - creating his own brand of stand-up comedies for the Chinese audience.

"Stand-up comedies are quite young in China, and young people are always the main audience of comedies," Dashan said after meeting his fans at Cambridge University.

Invited by the Chinese Students and Scholars Association in Cambridge, Dashan staged his first stand-up routine in Britain, poking fun at his experience learning languages and cultural shocks in both the East and West.

"Now, stand-up comedies are witnessing some developments in China. For me, this is a kind of innovation which solves many of my problems with doing comedies," he said.