Chapter 167 Yu Zhaohuai: The clouds will clear and the moon will appear
"The Intouchables" is being performed again after a year, which is good news for drama lovers in Yenching. The Yenching Daily even made a special report on it, and tickets for the performance are still hard to come by.
After a year of polishing and rehearsal, "The Intouchables" is like a well-seasoned dish that makes the audience linger.
The popularity of this drama in the Capital Theatre is the best among all the dramas launched by the People's Art Theatre in recent years, and is on par with a number of classics such as "Tea House", "Thunderstorm" and "Longxugou". It should be said that "The Intouchables" has the potential to become the main repertoire of the People's Art Theatre, and become a long-lasting repertoire like the works mentioned above.
The popularity of "The Intouchables" has greatly encouraged the crew of "Farewell My Concubine" which is currently rehearsing. Both are works by Teacher Lin, and "Farewell My Concubine" also has the blessing of the original novel.
During this period of time, the novel of Farewell My Concubine has been reprinted for the third time. Lin Weimin has once again received a royalty of more than 2,000 yuan. The total sales volume of the novel is about to exceed 1 million copies.
If we include the readers of last year's April issue of People's Literature, it would be no problem for this number to double.
More importantly, in the 1980s, a book or a magazine was read by more than just one person. It was normal for a few good classmates, a group of workers, or colleagues in an office to share a good book.
It is no exaggeration to say that the audience of the novel "Farewell My Concubine" far exceeds the sales of the novel itself.
In late March, the play "Farewell My Concubine" will be reviewed by the Art Committee of the People's Art Theatre.
Normally, every play of the People's Art Theatre will be reviewed twice, once in the rehearsal room and once in the theater.
The lineup of the People's Art Theatre's Art Committee is unprecedentedly strong, consisting of all the theater's meritorious directors, screenwriters, and actors. Ouyang Shanzun and Lan Tianye, with whom Lin Weimin had often come into contact before, are among them.
However, in order to avoid suspicion, Ouyang Shanzun did not sit in the Art Committee seat today, but sat in another row with Lin Weimin.
In addition to these people, many theater actors and staff also sat in the audience seats of the rehearsal hall today. Everyone was looking forward to the performance of "Farewell My Concubine".
On the stage, the curtain opens and the characters appear.
Under the stage, members of the Art Committee and behind-the-scenes staff of the crew were watching extremely attentively.
When everyone saw Cheng Dieyi and Duan Xiaolou become famous, their expressions were gratified; when Cheng Dieyi was defiled while saving Duan Xiaolou, their expressions were heartbroken; when Cheng Dieyi saw through human nature and drew his sword to commit suicide, everyone was sad and had tears in their eyes when they heard Duan Xiaolou's shrill cry of "Dieyi".
The expressions of all the audience members changed with the joys and sorrows of the characters on stage. Until the end of the performance, Duan Xiaolou on the stage held the deceased Cheng Dieyi for a long time, but the people in the audience still had no reaction.
The actors on the stage were beginning to feel a little tired. Yang Lixin half-opened one eye and whispered to "Duan Xiaolou," "What's going on?"
"I don't know. No one is talking and I don't dare to move!"
The actors at the backstage side curtain were also a little at a loss. Normally, this was the time for everyone to applaud and the actors to go on stage to take their bows, but the leaders and audience members in the audience sat there motionless, and they didn't know whether they should go on stage to take their bows or not.
In the end, it was Ouyang Shanzun in the audience who gave the actors a gesture. "Duan Xiaolou" pinched Yang Lixin, and the two stood up. The actors on the side curtain also began to go on stage.
The members of the Art Committee suddenly realized that everyone had been too immersed in the plot, and a group of people stood up and applauded.
The applause grew from weak to strong, and in the end, with nearly a hundred people applauding, it brought out the momentum of the Capital Theatre.
"Wonderful! So wonderful!"
"Another classic has been born in our theater!"
"Congratulations, Shizhi, our institute has another great work!"
"Yeah, congratulations!"
The senior members of the Art Committee applauded and praised the performances. Yi Shizhi, the dean and chairman of the Art Committee, was very happy. In response to everyone's congratulations, he pointed to the backstage staff and the actors on stage and said, "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts!"
After saying this, he couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Thank you teachers! Thank you everyone!"
The actors on the stage bowed respectfully to express their gratitude, unable to hide the smiles on their faces, and the backstage staff were equally honored.
There was intense applause several times, and finally after a few minutes, everyone's emotions gradually calmed down.
Lin Weimin, the novelist and screenwriter, became the focus of everyone's attention and was inevitably praised by everyone.
In the audience, Li Guangfu stood among a group of young actors from the academy, looking at the actors on the stage and Lin Weimin who was surrounded by a group of people, his heart filled with emotion.
Teacher Lin is truly amazing. How could he write such a good book?
He looked at Yang Lixin, who was dressed as Concubine Yu on the stage. Although he couldn't see what he looked like, Li Guangfu felt that he was glowing on the stage.
This light does not belong to Yang Lixin himself, but is given to him by Teacher Lin and the character "Cheng Dieyi".
It is such an honor for an actor to encounter such a role in his lifetime!
Standing next to Li Guangfu was Han Zhuangzhuang, and on the other side of Han Zhuangzhuang stood a young man, the two were of similar age and build, except that Han Zhuangzhuang was mostly muscular, while the young man was mostly fat.
Han Zhuangzhuang, whose hands had just stopped clapping until they turned red, still looked a little excited as he asked the fat boy beside him, "Guanhua, how is my uncle's script?"
Liang Guanhua's face was as bright as a full moon, and at this moment he looked excited and a little flushed, "Awesome! That's awesome! Zhuangzhuang, when can we act in your uncle's play!"
“Am I not already acting now?”
Han Zhuangzhuang played a minor role and didn't even have a chance to perform today.
"I'm talking about the protagonist, a character like Cheng Dieyi!"
Han Zhuangzhuang glanced at Liang Guanhua's belly, "You? Forget it."
Liang Guanhua stared back at him, not wanting to be outdone. "The pot calling the kettle black."
The noise in the rehearsal room lasted for a long time and finally ended. The leaders and seniors of the Art Committee left. Lin Weimin, Ouyang Shanzun and Lan Yinhai came backstage to say hello to the actors.
As soon as everyone saw them, they greeted them excitedly. It was obvious that the success of the performance made everyone very excited, and their emotions had not yet calmed down after such a long time.
"Xiao Yang, you performed well! You fully portrayed the spirit of Cheng Dieyi!" Lin Weimin praised Yang Lixin, patting him on the shoulder.
Who would have thought that his shoulders would be so soft and unable to withstand the force, just like the delicate Concubine Yu.
"Thank you, Mr. Lin. It's all because of your good script."
His voice became softer and softer, almost exactly the same as the voice Lin Weimin heard when he watched the movie Farewell My Concubine.
The voice of Leslie Cheung in the later movie "Farewell My Concubine" was actually dubbed by Yang Lixin.
It is precisely because of such voices that Lin Weimin finds it easier to accept Yang Lixin's performance.
The only regret is probably the lack of the classic BGM after Cheng Dieyi committed suicide with his sword.
"Don't mention the past anymore, life has been full of ups and downs..."
"Xiao Yang is really dedicated!" Lin Weimin praised and did not communicate any more with Yang Lixin.
This kid is getting a little into the role now. Lin Weimin, a straight man, feels a little physically uncomfortable after having more contact with him.
After communicating with the actors backstage, Ouyang Shanzun escorted Lin Weimin out, and the two chatted about the performance time of "Farewell My Concubine".
The Art Committee’s review just ended today, and the next review will be before the performance.
The performance of "Farewell My Concubine" is tentatively scheduled for May, and there is still more than a month away from the performance.
"It's almost time. This play has been in the works for nearly a year and it's finally going to meet the audience." Ouyang Shanzun said with emotion.
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Ouyang."
"Haha, everyone should be working hard."
The two chatted for a while, and Lin Weimin walked out of the rehearsal room.
Han Zhuangzhuang was waiting in the carport, with a little fat man beside him.
"Why haven't you left yet?" Lin Weimin asked.
"I'll wait for you."
"We have different speeds, why are you waiting for me?"
Han Zhuangzhuang looked at his uncle's motorcycle with envy. He pointed at the fat boy beside him and introduced him, "Uncle, this is a friend I met at the training class in our hospital, Liang Guanhua."
Lin Weimin recognized at a glance the little fat man who later became one of the leading figures of the National Theatre of China.
Sir, where is your Yuan Fang?
"Hello, Comrade Liang!" Lin Weimin stretched out his hand.
Liang Guanhua was flattered, "Teacher Lin, you can just call me Xiao Liang."
"Have you been waiting for a while?" Lin Weimin asked with a smile.
"Just wait a moment."
Lin Weimin got on his motorcycle and said, "Let's go. It's better to meet by chance than to invite each other. Today's review went well. I will treat you to a meal."
Han Zhuangzhuang was overjoyed and invited Liang Guanhua to get on his bicycle.
The two men, each stronger than the other, could easily carry hundreds of kilograms of rice on their bicycles, but now they acted like frail old men and let out a wail.
Lin Weimin shouted to Han Zhuangzhuang, "Why are you two crowding together? Xiao Liang, come with me."
He invited Liang Guanhua to sit on the back seat, and the motorcycle whizzed past, leaving behind a series of sounds.
"Zhuangzhuang, hurry up!"
Han Zhuangzhuang pedaled the bicycle feeling depressed. Is this still his nephew?
It only took Liang Guanhua a meal at Donglaishun for his admiration for Teacher Lin to reach an unprecedented level.
He is handsome, talented and most importantly generous. He eats as much mutton as he wants without even blinking an eye.
Before leaving, Liang Guanhua patted Han Zhuangzhuang on the shoulder.
This friend, no mistake!
Zhuangzhuang, from now on we will be brothers in life and death!
When he returned home in the evening, Han Zhuangzhuang lay on the bed reading a book, which was one of the books on the list that Lin Weimin had given him some time ago.
Since this kid entered the People's Art Theatre and was stimulated, he can even concentrate on reading books.
Lin Weimin hid in his study, finishing up his novel, which he had been writing, deleting and revising for almost half a year.
The theme of this novel is not heavy. It reads lightly, humorously, and with a bit of absurdity, which can easily make it despised by some readers who love grand themes and epic temperament. Therefore, Lin Weimin put a lot of effort into the dialogue, making the characters' words chewy and showing philosophical thoughts, so that the novel can be considered a success.
It took him two nights to finally finish the novel.
After reviewing it and making sure that all the problems he could find had been corrected, Lin Weimin finally put down his pen.
This time I finally got an explanation from Yu Zhaohuai.
The next morning, Yu Zhaohuai, who was far away in Jinling, had just put down his briefcase and had not had time to make himself some tea when he received a call from Lin Weimin.
"Weimin! Manuscript? There's no rush for the manuscript, don't feel pressured. It's a long novel, I understand, it will take a year or so."
"What? Finished? So soon?"
"When can it be sent out? Can it be sent out today?"
"Oh, great! I've reserved the layout for you, and I'm just waiting for your novel."
"Okay, okay, thank you very much. OK, let's get in touch again, let's get in touch again!"
Yu Zhaohuai put down the phone and tried to calm his excitement.
"Who called just now?" The editor-in-chief, who had just walked into the office, asked.
Yu Zhaohuai looked at him and calmed his tone, "Oh, nothing, Lin Weimin is here."
The editor's eye twitched, "The manuscript is not finished yet?"
He has formed muscle memory. Except for the first time, every time Yu Zhaohuai received a call from Lin Weimin, it was always because the manuscript was delayed again.
"Weimin said the manuscript has been completed."
"Finished it? Just finish it, it's not the first..."
The editor-in-chief paused as he spoke, and finally realized, "Lin Weimin said he has finished writing?"
Yu Zhaohuai was secretly pleased when he saw the editor-in-chief's reaction. He nodded without saying anything.
"When will it be published?" the editor asked anxiously.
"today."
The editor-in-chief sighed, "I've finally been waiting for this!"
Yu Zhaohuai couldn't help but sigh in his heart, he had finally waited for it, this manuscript was not easy to come by, after waiting for a long time, the clouds finally cleared and the moon appeared!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
