On Sunday, April 26, Deyunshe 30th Anniversary World Tour – Auckland stop concluded successfully, accompanied by a full house of laughter and applause. The nearly three-and-a-half-hour performance maintained a fast pace from start to encore, packed with punchlines, immersing the audience in a continuous wave of laughter from beginning to end.
As a key stop of the global tour, this evening was more than just a crosstalk performance—it felt like a collective reflection on a 30-year milestone. For an artistic troupe, three decades represent accumulation and growth; for the audience, they embody years of companionship and memories. From its humble beginnings in small theaters to performing on international stages, Deyunshe has, over 30 years, built not only a performance system but also a cultural connection that transcends borders. The Auckland stop brought that connection to life in the Southern Hemisphere, turning it into something tangible—live laughter that resonates even far from home.
The show opened with Zhang Jiunan and Gao Jiucheng, who immediately ignited the atmosphere with high-energy delivery and rapid-fire pacing. With no gradual buildup, they launched straight into an intense rhythm, as Zhang’s signature expressive style and spontaneous audience interaction brought the crowd into the moment within seconds, with laughter rarely pausing.
They were followed by the iconic duo Guo Degang and Yu Qian. As the cornerstone of Deyunshe’s 30-year journey, their presence felt like an anchor. After the high-energy opening, their performance introduced a more composed rhythm, yet with even more refined humor. Their well-crafted punchlines unfolded layer by layer, elevating the overall mood. Years of partnership were evident in their seamless timing, with every exchange landing precisely, creating a wave-like rhythm of laughter throughout the venue.
Next, Shaobing & Cao Heyang, and Gao Feng & Luan Yunping took the stage in succession. Each pair brought a distinct style: some leaned toward traditional structure, others emphasized interaction and improvisation; some focused on linguistic rhythm, while others thrived on real-time audience response. This diversity showcased the multi-layered performance system Deyunshe has developed over three decades—rooted in tradition yet constantly evolving.
The significance of the evening went beyond simply being “funny”—it lay in the consistency of delivering live vitality after 30 years. The emotional peak came during the encore. Guo Degang and Yu Qian returned to the stage for extended interaction with the audience. The final autograph session transformed the stage from a performance space into a point of emotional connection, as audience members eagerly passed up hats, books, and other items, hoping to take home a tangible memory of the night.
As the performers took their final bow and the lights came up, the three-and-a-half-hour show came to an end. Yet for the audience, it felt less like a conclusion and more like a continuation—of memories shaped over three decades, of the unique charm of live crosstalk, and of the irreplaceable experience of sharing laughter in the same space.
The Auckland stop of the 30th Anniversary tour was not just another performance—it was a reaffirmation of a cultural symbol on the global stage. Thirty years is not an endpoint, but a moment in an ongoing journey of growth.