Barbarians at the Gate The Many Lives of Da Shan: Mark Rowswell on Chinese Poetry, Performing Live, and Staging Shawshank in Mandarin
In this episode, we reconnect with an old friend of the podcast, Canadian performer Mark Rowswell, better known in China as Dashan, or “Big Mountain.” Mark reflects on his early career in China, where his remarkable fluency in Mandarin launched him from a young foreign newcomer into the world of xiangsheng (相声, crosstalk), and soon after into a highly sought-after TV host and cultural ambassador bridging East and West.
He also shares insights into his latest creative project: a series of online videos featuring his recitations of classic Chinese poetry. What began during the pandemic with a relatively obscure Chu Ci (楚辞) poem that went viral has since grown to include well-known works by Li Bai and Su Shi, with Mark’s fresh approach—eschewing the traditional, formal style of langsong (朗诵) in favor of a more natural, conversational delivery—quickly gaining a wide audience. Over time, the project has grown increasingly ambitious, incorporating longer poems and rich musical collaborations, including performances with the Toronto and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras.
Finally, Mark offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at his role in adapting The Shawshank Redemption into a Chinese-language stage production performed by an all-foreign cast. He discusses recruiting Mandarin-speaking actors, translating and culturally adapting the script, and the production’s warm reception among Chinese audiences.
Chinese Glossary
tuōkǒu xiù 脱口秀 — Stand-up comedy (derived from “talk show”)
Tǔcáo Dàhuì 吐槽大会 — A popular roast-style comedy show format
cābiānqiú 擦边球 — Literally “edge ball”; skirting the line of what is acceptable
bēiqiū 悲秋 — Mourning the arrival of autumn; a metaphor for aging
píng píng zè zè 平平仄仄 — Strict alternating tonal meter in classical poetry
Dìngfēng Bō 定风波 — A classical poem noted for syncing well with musical rhythm
Shēngshēng Màn 声声慢 — A famous lyric poem (ci) with musical accompaniment
Qiāng Jìn Jiǔ 将进酒 — Li Bai’s boisterous drinking poem
Chánghèn Gē 长恨歌 — “The Song of Everlasting Regret,” a 10-minute tragic epic
Chūnfēng táolǐ huākāi rì 春风桃李花开日 — A line from Changhen Ge
nǐ néng shuō ràokǒulìng ma? 你能说绕口令吗？ — “Can you say a tongue twister?”
Tā zhēn huì! 他真会！ — “He really knows his stuff!”
Zhāng Kēmín 张科民 — Pianist and composer
Lǐ Délún 李德伦 — Zhang Kemin’s grandfather; pioneered symphonic music in modern China
Zhāng Guólì 张国立 — Actor and director
Links
Li Bai, “Bring the Wine” 李白《将进酒》 (folk rock version)
Comments on the Chinese stage Shawshank Redemption
Night Rain by Bai Juyi 白居易《夜雨》, music by David Moser
Ding Feng Bo 《定风波》苏轼, music by David Moser (also in the episode)