Chapter 265 Goodbye, Lao Mi
Arthur Miller shook his head when he heard Lin Weimin's words, "I'm afraid I don't have that much energy!"
Lin Weimin then remembered that the old man was almost seventy years old.
He felt a little regretful and said, "If that's the case, I suggest you choose The Intouchables."
Facing Arthur Miller's gaze, he continued, "If this play wants to be brought to the United States, the adaptation required is very small, and it can also be regarded as a test of the waters."
Arthur Miller nodded and said, "You are right!"
He has already seen both works, and both are extremely excellent, so he is reluctant to give them up.
But the reality is that if he wants to bring Lin Weimin's works to the United States, he must do it himself, because two works are too many.
It would be better to do as Lin Weimin said and test the waters first.
Arthur Miller agreed with Lin Weimin's opinion and took "The Intouchables" away.
At the same time, backstage at the People's Art Theatre's rehearsal hall, everyone was discussing the matter.
"Mr. Miller, do you really want to bring Mr. Lin's works to the United States?"
"One hundred percent! How else could we suddenly perform these two plays without any reason?"
"Hey, Zhuangzhuang, didn't Teacher Lin tell you?"
Someone asked Han Zhuangzhuang, and he shook his head, "I've been filming on the set recently, and I haven't met my uncle yet."
Everyone had different expressions.
"If these two plays were performed in the United States, we would be so awesome!" someone said with anticipation.
"What are you thinking? Going to the United States to perform has nothing to do with us. They can't drag us to the United States. They must be arranging another show in the United States."
"Look at your idea, it's so vulgar! Who said we were going to the United States? What I meant was that our play would become famous by then, which would be a glory for the country."
Han Zhuangzhuang recalled a word Lin Weimin had said before, "This is called cultural export!"
Everyone clapped and shouted, "Yes, yes, cultural output, the word Zhuangzhuang is a good one."
Han Zhuangzhuang scratched his head and said, "I heard this from my uncle."
Everyone couldn't help but sigh: "Teacher Lin is indeed a great writer!"
In the rehearsal hall audience, Lin Weimin was still chatting with Arthur Miller.
After deciding which play to bring back to the United States, Arthur Miller's problem was solved, and he asked the same question again.
"Lin, come with me to the United States!"
Arthur Miller was very sincere, but Lin Weimin still shook his head.
"Why?" Arthur Miller was even more puzzled after being rejected again.
In the 1980s, there were many Chinese writers going abroad, and many of them were invited to visit foreign countries. Among them, very few were invited by the government, and most were invited by informal private organizations.
For example, the famous International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in the United States has invited many famous Chinese writers to visit and exchange in the United States. This writing exchange program started in 1981 and continued until 2000.
A writer who was invited to participate in this writing project recalled the experience many years later:
"Later, I gradually understood the nature of this activity. It was founded by Nie Hualing and Paul Engel.
They get some money, once a year, mainly for developing countries, so the people who go there are from so-called "problem countries", and the one we went to was the one with the most "problems". "
Since there is a country with "problems", there must be a country with "no problems". Who is this country?
it goes without saying.
To explain it in Chinese, this is called a barrel station.
99% of the writers who were invited to travel abroad unofficially in the 1980s experienced this kind of experience. Some of them enjoyed it, while others realized it later.
Of course, Arthur Miller's invitation to Lin Weimin was more of a business-related one, and certainly not as exaggerated as those invitations.
But he also knew very well that if he went to the United States, he would not be much better than those writers.
The reason is simple: he is not famous.
It’s not a question of whether you are Chinese or American, but whether you are famous.
Don't think that performing drama in the United States is noble. Many times the situation of drama performers in the United States is not even as good as that in China.
At that time, the country was in a planned economy, and the gap between the rich and the poor was very small. People who did drama were considered artists, and their happiness index was very high.
If you go to New York's Broadway, you will see unknown musical and drama actors everywhere. Very few of them can really make a name for themselves, and some of them can't even pay the rent.
Most people who perform drama in the United States don't live such a carefree life.
On the contrary, those who jump out of this industry, for example, switching to the film or television industry, almost all become rich.
This has to be said to be a huge irony.
The locals are all like this, let alone Lin Weimin, an outsider.
Therefore, even when invited by the famous playwright Arthur Miller, Lin Weimin refused directly without hesitation.
Lin Weimin was willing to let Arthur Miller bring his works to the United States. After all, it was just to test the waters, and there would be no loss if it failed.
But let him go to the United States now?
Not interested!
He is not one of those young people who have been brainwashed by all kinds of propaganda, saying that the United States is a free country and the air in the United States is sweet...
Without fame and money, you are nothing wherever you go!
Arthur Miller felt deeply sorry for Lin Weimin's unhesitating refusal, and kept saying, "Lin, you really should go to Broadway."
Lin Weimin understood his appreciation for himself, but this kind of appreciation could not be used to make a living.
If I go to the United States, I will not be treated the same way as Arthur Miller was treated in China. Why should I ask for trouble?
After deciding to bring "The Intouchables" to Broadway in the United States, the first thing Arthur Miller had to do was to find a reliable translator to translate the play script into English.
The first person that comes to mind is naturally the translator who translated "Death of a Salesman" into Chinese - Ying Ruocheng.
Ying Ruocheng's nickname in the People's Art Theatre is "Ying Daxuewen". He graduated from the Foreign Language Department of Shuimu University and is a well-known talent in the People's Art Theatre. When he was studying at Shuimu, he was a celebrity in the school's drama club.
Because he is proficient in English and familiar with stage language, Ying Ruocheng was the one who led the translation of "Death of a Salesman" introduced by the People's Art Theatre.
Arthur Miller did not understand Chinese, and Ying Ruocheng provided him with great help in the process of directing the Chinese version of "Death of a Salesman", so Arthur Miller trusted Ying Ruocheng very much.
"Teacher Ying, thank you for your help!" Lin Weimin said politely to Ying Ruocheng.
Ying Ruocheng smiled and said, "Teacher Lin, your work can be exported abroad, which is a pride for all of us. I will definitely do my best."
Now that the translation has been found, the next step is to wait.
There were only a few days left before Arthur Miller left China, so Mr. Wan took time out to treat him to a meal, and Lin Weimin was also invited to accompany the guest.
After coming out of the Yanjing Hotel, Mr. Wan asked, "I heard that Mr. Miller invited you to the United States. Why didn't you agree?"
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I thought you wouldn't ask!"
Then, he said frankly, "There are several considerations. As for drama, there is not much I can actually do if I go there. Lao Mi is quite poor in drama, and I don't think he will make much money. Even if the drama is performed, he may not become famous. Tell me, why should I go there?"
Mr. Wan burst out laughing.
"You, you, you really don't act like a scholar! You never suffer any loss!"
"You are wronging me. I gave the script of "The Intouchables" to Mr. Miller but didn't ask for a penny!" Lin Weimin shouted.
Mr. Wan asked, "You don't want the share of the performance?"
"You can't let me work for free, can you? I am sharing the risk with my international friend, Old Mitou!"
Seeing that he was being disrespectful again, Mr. Wan couldn't help but scold him, "Do you call me Old Wantou behind my back too?"
Lin Weimin waved his hands quickly, "Don't talk nonsense. You are my dear teacher, how can you be the same as Lao Mitou?"
Mr. Wan snorted twice and couldn't help laughing.
There was a look of relief on his face.
I am glad that my students are not so superficial and are not blinded by the small profits in front of them.
The next day, Death of a Salesman premiered.
As one of the most influential plays in the American drama world, the performance of Death of a Salesman quickly attracted the attention of the Yenching drama community, drama lovers and the media, and the Capital Theater became lively again.
Arthur Miller's mission to come to China was completely accomplished.
A few days later, Lin Weimin accompanied Mr. Wan to the airport to see him off. The scene was similar to when he came here. In addition to the comrades from the People's Art Theatre, there were also several comrades from the Ministry of Culture and Yenching City.
"Lin, it's a pity that you didn't agree to my request!" Arthur Miller said again before leaving.
Lin Weimin shook Arthur Miller's hand and said, "Old friend! Just because I didn't go to the United States this time doesn't mean I won't go there in the future. Maybe in two years I will come to your country to hold a book signing event!"
Arthur Miller laughed out loud, "I'm looking forward to that day, and I will definitely come to support you then!"
"You must remember what you said!" Lin Weimin said with a smile.
"It's a deal!"
"It's a deal!"
Yi Shizhi watched Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller communicate freely, like old friends, his eyes full of envy.
"Teacher Lin really has the demeanor of a great man!" A comrade from Yanjing City suddenly exclaimed.
So Zhizhi nodded in agreement.
Everyone participated in the reception work. Compared with Teacher Lin's relaxed and close attitude towards Arthur Miller, everyone was always respectful and reserved when receiving Arthur Miller, and sometimes even a little cautious.
You have to know that the other party has a status as high as Mr. Wan in the American theater industry!
Watching Arthur Miller walk into the boarding gate, the farewell mission ended here.
Lin Weimin joked: "Comrade Miller's visit was not in vain this time. He brought Death of a Salesman to China and took away The Intouchables. It's a good way to reciprocate!"
Several people around burst into laughter.
(End of this chapter)
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