Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

At the end of October,

The 4th Beijing International Drama Festival concluded at the Beijing People's Art Theatre Grand Theatre, and Pu Cunxi specially sent an invitation to the young couple to attend.

Zhuang Huai'an readily agreed, and as the number of collaborations increased, the Beijing People's Art Theatre became another core business for him, besides the Beijing Film Academy.

"Director Huai'an, Yifei, let me introduce you."

Backstage, Pu Cunxi enthusiastically introduced everyone, "This is Lin Zhaohua, the great director of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Meng Bing, the head of the General Political Department Drama Troupe, and our specially appointed chief screenwriter."

"I have long admired you both."

Zhuang Huai'an shook hands with the two of them, searching his memory, "I've seen the play 'Red and White Affairs' that the two of you collaborated on before, and I'm so happy to see it in person today."

Everyone carries a sedan chair, and Director Zhuang has managed to get ahead without any enemies because of his skill in doing so.

Sure enough, the two men looked delighted. They were indeed renowned in the theater world, but they were just average in the film and television industry. Although they worked within the system, receiving praise from a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director was something to be proud of.

After greeting the couple, Pu Cunxi led them backstage, where almost everyone he saw was a familiar face.

There were actors from the Beijing People's Art Theatre and other entertainment industry figures who were specially invited. As soon as the young couple entered, they became the social center, and people, whether they knew them or not, came to get acquainted with them.

Today's closing performance is the newly staged "White Deer Plain," with Pu Yuan playing Bai Jiaxuan, Song Changying playing Tian Xiao'e, and veteran Shaanxi actor Guo Da Statham as a special guest, playing Lu Zilin, and also serving as the Guanzhong dialect director for the production team.

Speaking of which, the Beijing People's Art Theatre is truly amazing these days.

There are four elders: Lan Tianye, Yu Shizhi, Zheng Rong, and Zhu Xu; two outstanding performers: Zhu Lin and Lü Zhong; four pillars: Pu Cunxi, Liang Guanghua, Yang Lixin, and Song Changying; five tigers of the Beijing People's Art Theatre: Feng Yuanzhen, Wu Gang, Wang Gang, Ding Zhicheng, and Gao Dongping; He Bing and Wang Ban form the left and right protectors; and Gong Lijun and Yue Xiuqing are the two leading actresses.

Any one of them could carry a show on their own. Before the rise of the traffic-driven era, this was the sacred place in the hearts of all actors.

"White Deer Plain" truly deserves to be called an epic masterpiece. The Beijing People's Art Theatre really put its heart into it, and even specially invited the Huayin Laoqiang Art Troupe to assist in the performance, which made the whole play completely break away from the original Beijing style of the Beijing People's Art Theatre and perfectly interpret the local customs of Guanzhong.

Liu Yifei was completely captivated by what she saw.

After nearly three hours of performance, the actors took their third bow amidst enthusiastic applause, which is almost the highest praise in the world of drama.

After giving Pu Cunxi and the others on stage a wink, Zhuang Huai'an quietly pulled Liu Yifei away from the theater.

"Brother, wouldn't it be impolite of us to leave without saying goodbye?"

"No," Zhuang Huai'an put on his seatbelt and started the car. "This is an unspoken rule in theater. Socializing only happens before the actors go on stage because everyone is exhausted after the curtain falls. If you go over there at this time, you'll be disturbing their rest."

"Ding! You've gained some useful knowledge again!"

Liu Yifei nodded with a grin, then asked, "So, do you think I have a chance to stand on the stage?"

"Do you want to act?" Zhuang Huai'an turned his head and saw his girlfriend's longing look. "The stage is indeed a place to hone acting skills, but there's one downside."

Liu Yifei tilted her head. "What?"

"The tension of stage plays can easily ruin young actors who are just starting out."

Zhuang Huai'an explained, "Unlike the big and small screens, where a single glance or micro-expression can convey the message, the core of stage plays lies in the tone and intonation of the dialogue, supplemented by actions. This kind of expansive and dramatic style can easily trap young actors in fixed templates, making them seem out of place when they try to film movies or TV series."

"Brother, so you don't really approve of me doing stage plays?"

"That's right, there's actually another important point I'm afraid to mention."

"What?"

"talent."

Liu Yifei immediately raised her eyebrows, "You're mocking me again!"

"I'm innocent!"

Zhuang Huai'an felt a little wronged. "That's true. The threshold for drama is actually very low, but the talent required is extremely high. Look at those drama masters who have made it big, which one of them doesn't have superb acting skills?"

Take, for example, the Beijing People's Art Theatre's signature play, Teahouse. The film and stage versions, aside from having the same plot, present two almost completely different performances – one restrained, the other unrestrained.

Liu Yifei thought about it and realized it was true.

"Qian, practicing your lines and delivery at home will be just as good."

Zhuang Huai'an earnestly advised, "Listen to my advice, you're not quite ready for stage plays yet. You should bring your talent to the film industry. Besides, have you ever seen Gong Li perform in a stage play?"

"Hmph!" Liu Yifei turned her head away and ignored him. In fact, she had already figured it out. She really couldn't handle the stage play, and it wasn't really necessary for her.

But thoughts are one thing, and disagreements are another.

"Turn around." Liu Yifei looked at the familiar road outside the car and suddenly said, "I'm going to sleep at Ziyu Villa."

"what?"

"What?! I didn't like what you just said, so I'm going to teach you a lesson tonight!"

Zhuang Huai'an was amused by Liu Yifei's sullen expression.

"Then you should let your aunt know."

"I already said that."

"Auntie doesn't have any objections?"

Remembering Aunt Liu's instructions before she left, Liu Yifei's face flushed red. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "No, she just told us to be careful and not to cause any trouble."

"Oh, oh, oh,"

Zhuang Huai'an remained noncommittal. With his physical condition and at this daily frequency, dealing with Xiao Pa Cai would be no problem at all.

"Sisi, why don't you just move in with us? Auntie already knows anyway."

"I don't,"

Liu Yifei shook her head and refused, saying, "It's fine as it is. We're together all day, and I'm busy with work. Mom is lonely without anyone to keep her company."

"Hesitatingly speaking."

Zhuang Huai'an didn't force it. He couldn't abandon his mother just because he was in a relationship. Besides, it was actually quite good. Occasional distance could also better promote their relationship.

arrive home,

Zhang Yimou called.

"Feed?"

"Huai'an, you're still awake, aren't you?"

"No, I just got home. I went to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to see a play."

"White Deer Plain, right? I also received an invitation, but I don't have time to go."

"Yes, the newly crowned three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director is very busy." Zhuang Huai'an turned on his phone and put it on speakerphone.

"Senior, what's the matter with the phone call?"

"What did you say?"

Zhang Yimou's voice rose several decibels, "You promised to come back from Cannes to sign the contract, but you haven't made a move. Zhang Weiping is contacting me three times a day now, sometimes threatening me, sometimes begging me. I'm really fed up. You have to deal with him for me!"

"Okay, okay, okay."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled. "You wait for me at New Picture tomorrow. I'll take some men there first to raid his territory, and then help you establish your foothold!"

"Speaking in slang, you want to be the boss?" Zhang Yimou chuckled and cursed. "Fine, see you tomorrow then."

After hanging up the phone, Zhuang Huai'an sent a message to his aunt, instructing her to select a few skilled men to accompany him.

A new piece of information was found, and the top student from Tilanqiao was brought in to deliver a crushing blow.