"Blind City" initially featured the signature work of director Wang Xiaoying and leading actor Jia Hongsheng, as well as the original "Blindness" and Nobel Prize-winning author Saramago.
Most of the people interviewed before the premiere were the director and the leading actor.
But during the third performance, the troupe temporarily adjusted its promotion strategy and focused on Liu Yifei.
Because putting the words Liu Yifei on the table means taking the seat.
Even though theater tickets are slightly more expensive than movie tickets, Liu Yifei's fans are still willing to pay.
Although she played the second female lead, there was nothing she could do about it, someone just bought the ticket.
Director Wang Xiaoying and producer Lei Ting actually held their breath while arranging the play: "I just don't believe that a play like this can't recoup its cost! A play that has a good social impact should also have a good box office!"
The drama market is declining, and state-owned theater troupes are also facing great pressure to make profits.
That's why they boldly cast newcomer Liu Yifei to play such an important role as Natalia.
In fact, Liu Yifei lived up to their expectations.
"The Fairy Sister shocked the stage, and the premiere of the play was packed with seats"
This was news a month ago.
On June 6, "Blind City" began its second round of performances at the People's Liberation Army Opera House. Liu Yifei took leave from the crew of "The King of Kung Fu" and returned to the capital one day early.
"The National Theater Theater's new play "Blind City" premiered at Peking University and received an enthusiastic response. It will be performed for the second time tonight at the People's Liberation Army Opera House. Director Wang Xiaoying and the play's starring Liu Yifei were guests and talked about the creative process."
Wang Xiaoying said with a smile: "It's hard to do dramas now. We invested about 1 million in this drama, and the cost is relatively high, so we chose Yifei to play Natalia, hoping to get good returns."
The topic was passed smoothly to Liu Yifei, and the reporter asked her: "What was it like to perform in a drama for the first time?"
Liu Yifei: "Actually, it's not my first time. I also performed in small theaters when I was in school. "Blind City" should be my first large-scale performance of a play. I was very nervous, really. When the theater decided on my role at the beginning of the year , I was so nervous that I didn’t sleep well for two days. Teacher Wang persuaded me to relax, and Sister Yuan Quan taught me the preparations bit by bit, as well as the rehearsals later. My colleagues and the director took good care of me, and we worked very happily together."
Wang Xiaoying praised Liu Yifei at the right time: "Yifei is very serious and devoted in rehearsing the play. "Blind City" is a not-so-bright story, and her character Natalia is not a very positive character. Before we performed at Peking University, During the last rehearsal in makeup, Yifei was completely immersed in Natalia and the story. She felt very painful. After the rehearsal, she hugged Xiaomei and cried on the stage."
Liu Yifei laughed at the side and said, "Didn't I agree not to talk about this?"
The reporter said: "It's okay, this is a good thing."
Wang Xiaoying smiled and continued: "She only relaxed after performing at Peking University on the first day."
"How did it feel after the first performance?" the reporter asked Liu Yifei.
"Enjoyable."
Then, Liu Yifei talked about some of her views on "Blind City" and her understanding of drama performance.
The reporter asked her again: "Is it possible to be busy while filming "The King of Kung Fu" and acting in a drama?"
"Fortunately, the crew of "The King of Kung Fu" is very considerate of me, and the progress there will not be delayed."
"Any other plans later?"
"After filming "The King of Kung Fu", I will focus on theater dramas. We will have a tour after "Blind City"."
Wang Xiaoying promptly promoted: "The response to "Blind City" has been good. We have already scheduled tours in Guangdong, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, and will also go to Hong Kong Island. We are also negotiating for tours in other parts of the country."
For a play that can tour the country, profitability is not a problem, and Wang Xiaoying can finally feel at ease.
Zhang Yuanjun didn't come to the evening performance. His own "Camel Xiangzi" was to be performed until the 15th, so there was no time to watch "The Blind City".
On the 15th, after the last performance of "Camel Xiangzi" this year was completed, and the whole team had a big dinner, director Gu Wei announced another big news: ""White Deer Plain" will also be scheduled."
Many young actors are gearing up to show off their talents in "White Deer Plain".
"Really?! Teacher Gu, which actors will be needed in "White Deer Plain"?"
"Don't even think about the veteran actors. Bai Jiaxuan has already cast your teacher Pu, and Lu Zilin has cast Guo Da. There are many young people in "White Deer Plain", and you all have a chance."
"White Deer Plain" will start rehearsals after the National Day and will be performed at the end of October. After the Beijing performance, it will go to Sanqin, the hometown of "White Deer Plain" to perform, and then a nationwide tour - a tour is scheduled as soon as this kind of play comes out.
Director Gu Wei revealed the rehearsal of "White Deer Plain" to these young people in advance. "Camel Xiangzi" was performed for 15 consecutive days and the attendance was very good.
After dinner, Zhang Yuanjun didn't drink, so he drove Guo Yijun (B corner of Huniu), Yu Mingjia (Xiao Fuzi) and Lei Jia (Feng Erye) back.
"Lao San, are you going to choose "White Deer Plain"?" Yu Mingjia asked.
"How can we talk to each other? It's not just that we can act however the theater arranges it. I am very satisfied if I can perform "Camel Xiangzi". I will perform two more in the future, no matter what, it will be enough." Zhang Yuanjun said while driving.
"Yeah, you can get jobs outside the theater even if you don't have a show, so it's not like us." Guo Yijun said. She came from the Chinese Opera Humanities and Arts Cooperation Class, and she almost graduated and got the Humanities and Arts Program, but it was because she couldn't get any decent dramas outside that she decided to act in the theater.
"As you said, I only filmed "Love Is Afterlife" this year, and I stopped filming in the middle of the filming. There is a high chance that this movie will lose money, and I am embarrassed to ask for the final payment." Zhang Yuanjun on "Love Is Afterlife" She received a salary of 100,000 yuan, and was given 50,000 yuan when signing the contract. Zhang Yuanjun did not plan to take any more 50,000 yuan.
"No way, it's so miserable?" It's really rare for a movie to lose money so much that the actors don't even have to pay their final payment.
"You don't know, this drama is very complicated." Zhang Yuanjun didn't want to say more about "Love Has an Afterlife".
After sending the three people back safely, Zhang Yuanjun also returned to his home to wash up and go to bed.
The next day during the day, assistant Xiao Zhao came to his home to give him tickets for tonight's "Blind City" and asked him for credit: "Look what I negotiated for you."
As he spoke, a stack of intention contracts was slapped in front of Zhang Yuanjun.
"What is it worth for you to offer treasure like this?" Zhang Yuanjun picked up the contract and saw that it was an endorsement contract for Mercedes-Benz.
In November this year, Mercedes-Benz will release the new C series, and they want to choose a spokesperson in the mainland - this is the first time that Mercedes-Benz has selected a spokesperson in the mainland.
Earlier this year, popular young actors such as Zhang Yuanjun, Huang Xiaoming, and Chen Kun all entered their investigation.
After half a year of investigation, especially after Zhang Yuanjun was shortlisted in Cannes, Mercedes-Benz (China) made the decision to cast Zhang Yuanjun without hesitation.
"No." Zhang Yuanjun was a little funny, "My Volvo has less than 5,000 kilometers, and it's no different from a new car. If I sign a contract with Mercedes-Benz, my car won't be able to be driven."
"If you can't drive it, don't drive it. If you can't drive it for more than 5,000 kilometers after buying it for more than a year, you basically have to say goodbye to cars."
Zhang Yuanjun then thought: "No, you are trying to get my Volvo!"
"Have you discovered all this?" Xiao Zhao said with a smile, "I have already calculated it all. If you endorse Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz will definitely give you a car. Your Volvo will be used in the studio. Now we take a taxi when we go out. Why? Sample?"
"not so good."
"Then the Mercedes-Benz contract is still signed?"
"Sign! Why not sign this kind of endorsement!" Zhang Yuanjun said.
(End of chapter)
