China Entertainment 1981: Starting from Journey to the West

After breakfast, Teacher Zhang still had no intention of taking the three of them to Shao Opera Troupe.

Director Yang Jie mentioned several times that the work of the "Journey to the West" preparatory team was complicated. Although the deputy director Zhu Xiaofeng was taking the lead in the capital, she, the general manager, was not keeping an eye on it, so she still felt uneasy.

The sooner things here are over, the sooner they can return to the capital.

As for being anxious, Gu Bei was even more anxious. It was already Wednesday, and it was only a few days away from the weekend agreed with Old Man Wang and Smith.

But Teacher Zhang still talked about him, changed the subject, and just introduced the "son" in front of him again and again.

In this regard, Yang Jie was also helpless. This is really a case of not avoiding relatives when promoting talents.

But even if Zhang Jinlai is really good, he can't force it!
At the very least, there needs to be a comparison!
Maybe there is someone more suitable than him?
But in the face of Teacher Zhang's repeated mentions, Yang Jie couldn't keep pretending to be confused, so she asked about Zhang Jinlai's situation.

Gu Bei was standing by and could clearly see that Director Yang Jie was not satisfied with Zhang Jinlai.

Since you are playing a monkey, you should be smart and energetic!

But Zhang Jinlai always gave people a very boring feeling since yesterday. He blushed before speaking. Can such a character play Sun Wukong?
As for other aspects...

"He seems...a bit taller, right?"

When the old man saw that Director Yang Jie finally focused on Zhang Jinlai, he quickly said: "It's not high, it's not high. It won't be high if you curl up your legs!"

Said and made a demonstration.

Gu Bei looked at it and had to admit that if he were 30 years younger, no one would be more suitable to play Sun Wukong than Teacher Zhang.

Seeing Teacher Zhang working so hard, Yang Jie was embarrassed to find fault anymore, and then asked about Zhang Jinlai's performance level. This is the key. Can't someone from a monkey opera family play Sun Wukong?

There is no need to believe in authority.

"No problem. Jin Lai has already performed Sun Wukong on stage?"

Yang Jie was surprised: "Didn't you say he was a student before?"

"Yes, but his level is pretty good. I teach him step by step, and he usually works very hard!"

Seeing Teacher Zhang's repeated affirmations, Yang Jie also became interested and began to seriously look at the young man in front of her.

Very quiet and delicate, giving the impression of a white-faced scholar.

"Teacher Zhang, did you say he knew those acting skills before?"

"He can, he can do it!"

The old gentleman became active and immediately asked Zhang Jinlai to perform some monkey movements.

Zhang Jinlai understands his father's thoughts and is still very much looking forward to playing Sun Wukong in a TV series. It's just because of his personality that he doesn't easily reveal what he's thinking.

A few movements are very vivid, especially the sideways movements, the shrugging of the shoulders, the widening of the mouth, and the blinking of the eyes. It can be seen that he has put in a lot of effort.

It's just that compared to his father, he is still a little less energetic.

Yang Jie thought about it in her mind for a long time. She came from a family of monkey actors, was young, easily accepted new things, and had stage experience...

"Do you understand what your father said? One more thing, can you still perform without the gongs and drums and the original rules on the stage?"

This time Zhang Jinlai didn't need anyone else to answer for him, he said confidently: "Yes!"

Yang Jie nodded noncommittally and continued: "The next thing we are afraid of is the TV series. When performing, we cannot copy the original things from the opera stage. We have to discover and develop ourselves and absorb many other performance skills. But in opera Kung fu is also essential, so you have to learn from your father’s experience and understanding of Wukong!”

At this point, Yang Jie's meaning was already clear. The old man hurriedly patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry about this, I'll take care of it."

Now that the matter has come to this, it seems inappropriate to propose seeing another person again.

Yang Jie also didn't expect that her visit to Shaoxing would go so smoothly.

Of course, it would not be accurate to say that it went smoothly, after all, this Monkey King was forced on her.

After the matter was settled, Yang Jie wanted to leave for Beijing that day. She was not only responsible for the preparations for "Journey to the West", but she was also responsible for the recording of other opera programs.

Seeing that it was mid-November, the end of the year was not far away. She wanted to focus her main energy on "Journey to the West", but she could not let go of her usual programs.

We have to hurry up and prepare all the programs.

However, at this time, Teacher Zhang proposed to introduce an actor who could play Zhu Bajie.

The person introduced was not an outsider, but Zhang Jinyuan, the son of his elder brother Qilingtong. He also came from a wealthy family. His father played the role of Zhu Bajie, and his son also played the role of Zhu Bajie.

Yang Jie didn't expect to get unexpected gains. If she could come to Shaoxing and figure out the candidates for Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, it would be really worth it.

"Is his role as Zhu Bajie as good as yours as Sun Wukong?"

The old man was full of guarantees: "No problem, it's very good. I have been performing it for many years. The famous Zhu Bajie will have a performance the day after tomorrow. You three can go and see it for yourself and you will know."

Kindness is difficult.

Besides, now that Sun Wukong is here, I have to hurry up and choose Zhu Bajie when I go back. Although the time is tight, it would be great if I can find Zhu Bajie by the way.

only……

The day after tomorrow is Friday.

Gu Bei was thinking about his first pot of gold.

But the leader nodded, what could a follower say?

Sigh... That night, Gu Bei couldn't sleep.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he felt countless bills flying around in front of his eyes.

With nothing to do the next day, Zhang Jinlai accompanied the three of them to visit Shaoxing. It was a rare trip and there was nothing important to do, so how could we not relax for a while, not to mention that Wang Chongqiu still had a camera with him.

The group visited Mr. Lu Xun’s former residence, Baicao Garden, and the famous Xianheng Restaurant...

At this time, Shaoxing is quaint, a very unique and cute little town.

But except for Wang Chongqiu, Yang Jie and Gu Bei were not in the mood to play, and they always felt a little uneasy, as if they had lost something.

Gu Bei was worried about his first pot of gold. If he really missed the big fish like Smith, he didn't know if there would be any place to make up for it.

Yang Jie came to Shaoxing because of the choice of Sun Wukong. She didn't even get through the gate of the Shaoxing Opera Troupe. If there was a more suitable candidate than Zhang Jinlai, wouldn't it be a missed opportunity?

Moreover, such a big drama, such an important character, is decided like this?

Don’t even have a choice?
Looking at the young man who had been following him, Yang Jie felt a little confused.

Finally, it was Friday. What none of the three people expected was that the performance was in another city, dozens of miles away from Shaoxing. Fortunately, Teacher Zhang helped contact a car.

otherwise……

Legs go?
Dozens of miles away, even if Zhang Jinyuan, Marshal Tianpeng, came down to earth, he would not let them go over to see him.

Gu Bei didn't know if this part was included in the casting process for "Journey to the West" in his previous life, but he was certain that the actor who eventually played Zhu Bajie was named Ma, Dehua.

Just like Zhang Jinlai, Zhu Bajie created by Teacher Ma is also an unsurpassed classic screen image in the history of Chinese TV dramas.

Therefore, even if Teacher Zhang also recommended his nephew, I think Director Yang Jie probably didn't like it after watching it.

"Too thin?"

Sitting under the stage and looking at Zhang Jinyuan wearing Zhu Bajie's outfit, Yang Jie frowned subconsciously.

Gu Bei didn't intend to express his opinion, but he couldn't resist the leader and had to ask.

After thinking about it again and again, I just picked a problem with my body shape.

It is indeed too thin. Zhang Jinlai's height problem can be solved by curling up his legs during performances. What should I do if he is too thin?
Even if I have to wear a fake belly when filming in the future, I can't lift it because of my own body shape. I'm afraid that if I put it on, I won't look like Zhu Bajie, and I will become a starved person in the old society.

Yang Jie nodded and didn't say anything else. She also felt that she was too thin, and there was nothing particularly outstanding about the play, which was... just average.

After the performance, Teacher Zhang couldn't wait to ask Director Yang Jie for his opinion.

"I...think about it!"

I didn't say it too harshly. If the subsequent casting work doesn't go well and I really can't choose the Zhu Bajie I like, I might have to go back to the Zhang family.

But if Zhang Jinyuan wants to act, he must gain weight. It's not just a matter of a few pounds, but a dozen pounds.

Putting this matter aside for now, Yang Jie still cares about Sun Wukong.

"Teacher Zhang, you and Jin Lai will come to the capital in the next year. When we meet, we will discuss it in detail. During this time, you can pass on all your true skills of pressing the bottom of the box to Jin Lai."

Yang Jie is still a little dissatisfied with Zhang Jinlai. She always feels that he is not as powerful as Sun Wukong, but who gives him unique conditions?

With a master of monkey opera like Mr. Zhang around me, as long as he is willing to work hard, there is nothing he cannot learn.

"Don't worry, I will take care of this matter. When we meet in the capital in the next year, I will definitely give you the best grandson."

The old man has said so, and Yang Jie can only temporarily let go of her worries and look forward to Zhang Jinlai's true rebirth in the next year.

After returning to Shaoxing, the three of them declined Teacher Zhang's invitation to "stay for two more days" and got on the train heading north that day.

There was another "bang" all the way, and the five senses were tortured together.

Finally, late Saturday night, we arrived in the capital.

Wang Chongqiu seemed fine, but Gu Bei and Yang Jie were on the verge of collapse.

"Director Yang, Teacher Wang, see you on Monday."

Taili was quite generous this time, and specially asked the bus driver to arrange a car to pick them up and send Yang Jie and Wang Chongqiu home first.

Yang Jie still wanted to say something, but she was really lack of energy at the moment. She finally waved her hand and was helped into the courtyard by Wang Chongqiu.

"Master Liu, you are in trouble."

After Gu Bei finished speaking, he slumped down in his seat. This trip was really painful.

Not to mention anything else, Gu Bei couldn't help but dislike the smell alone.

Because they lived in the Zhang family, none of the three people had the nerve to ask others to boil water for them to take a bath.

Coupled with the warm and humid climate in Shaoxing, I took another dip on the train when I came back.

No, as soon as Yang Jie and Wang Chongqiu got out of the car, Master Liu lowered the window.

After working as a driver for so many years, I almost got carsick.

Gu Bei could only look embarrassed and pretend not to see it.

Tomorrow is Sunday.