1980 My literary era

"How about it? Are you interested?"

After Arthur Miller said this, he looked at Lin Weimin expectantly.

"Are you interested? Mr. Miller, you mean..."

Lin Weimin looked puzzled. He already had some guesses in his mind, but he still wanted to confirm.

With a somewhat encouraging look on his face, Arthur Miller said: "Farewell My Concubine is a Chinese drama. If it wants to take root in the United States, it requires the joint efforts of you and me. I hope You can go to the United States to work for a while."

After listening to Arthur Miller's words, Lin Weimin did not speak, but pondered for a while before saying: "Mr. Miller, I don't think it is a good idea to move "Farewell My Concubine" to the Broadway stage now!"

"Why?" Arthur Miller was surprised and confused.

Based on his knowledge from staying in China for the past few months, because of the honeymoon period of diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent years, the Chinese people have an unusually good impression of the United States, and they always look forward to it when talking about the United States.

If his works can travel across the ocean to the United States and be staged, Lin Weimin should have no reason to refuse.

"There are too many Chinese elements and plots in "Farewell My Concubine". It is a big project to move it to the American stage. It is not easy. It is not easy to solve the problem of just one actor.

And how to show the Peking Opera part? If it is a movie, it can also be subtitled, but plays are all live performances on stage. How to make American audiences feel the charm of Peking Opera is a difficult problem! "

Arthur Miller frowned, "I have also considered the issues you mentioned. My idea is to replace the content of Peking Opera with opera. Lin, do you know the castrato?"

Lin Weimin nodded, "Of course I know. But with all due respect, Mr. Arthur Miller, I don't think changing the cultural background is a good choice."

"Why not? You have also seen the effect of using Chinese back figures in my "Death of a Salesman", which is also good."

"That's different. The core of "Death of a Salesman" is the tragedy of a person who has lost his self-worth. Although there are many unique American cultures in this drama, they can all find corresponding substitutes in Chinese culture, so change to another culture. The background does not affect his brilliance.

But "Farewell My Concubine" is different. It is rooted in Chinese culture and history, especially in terms of history. Without the magnificent historical background of recent decades, the story of "Farewell My Concubine" is nothing more than duckweed in the water. "

Lin Weimin's words made Arthur Miller fall into deep thought. After a long time, his brows relaxed.

"Lin, I have to admit that what you said makes sense and I am convinced by you."

As he said this, there was a hint of reluctance on his face, "What a pity! American audiences cannot appreciate such a poignant and beautiful story!"

Lin Weimin smiled and said: "Mr. Miller, actually you don't need to worry. The novel "Farewell My Concubine" has now been published in the United States, and the sales are not bad. We can wait a little longer. If this novel can really be published in When the United States reaches a certain level of influence, it will be much easier to bring the original drama "Farewell My Concubine" to the American drama stage!"

Arthur Miller clapped his hands and said with some excitement: "Lin, you are right, I almost forgot about this. Yes, it should be like this. I remember what you told me before, "Farewell, King" The novel "Ji" has been reprinted twice, and it is expected to become a bestseller. When that time comes, it will be much easier to put a play full of oriental mystery and classical romance on the stage!"

His thoughts continued along this line, and he added: "It seems that I will have to strongly recommend this novel to my friends and viewers when I get back!"

Lin Weimin couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that Arthur Miller really loved this drama deeply.

"Mr. Miller, thank you for your love for Farewell My Concubine!"

Arthur Miller smiled and said: "Lin, you know what? I haven't seen a work that can make me so excited for a long time. I still remember when I watched "Farewell My Concubine" for the first time, my mind A thought came to mind: Your art studio has works like "Farewell My Concubine", why do you still want to introduce my work?"

Although he knew that American Americans were always exaggerating, Arthur Miller's words still made Lin Weimin feel happy.

The only regret is that the two of them kept talking and communicating in English, and several directors and screenwriters of Renyi on the side couldn't understand it, which reduced the atmosphere a lot.

Seeing that Arthur Miller, a foreign friend, was so passionate about his works, Lin Weimin felt that he could not let him return to the United States empty-handed no matter what.

"Mr. Miller, I wonder if you have seen my other works?"

"other works?"

Arthur Miller shook his head. How could he, a foreigner, understand a novel written in Chinese? He could only understand "Farewell My Concubine" with the help of a translator. He was able to read "Farewell My Concubine" only because he had caught up. performance.

"Are you referring to the other works you wrote for Art?" Arthur Miller asked.

Arthur Miller has naturally heard of Lin Weimin's works for Art.

But since the relaxing time in the first few days, his main energy has been put on directing "Death of a Salesman", and he has no chance to understand it at all.

"There are two works among them that I think are very suitable for being put on the American drama stage."

Arthur Miller suddenly became interested when he heard what Lin Weimin said.

"Lin, could you please tell me about the contents of these two works?"

"certainly."

Lin Weimin first told Arthur Miller the story of "The Untouchables", and his eyes became brighter and brighter as he listened to the story.

After Lin Weimin finished speaking, Arthur Miller said excitedly: "Lin, your story is great, and it should be effortless to put it on the Broadway stage. All you need to do is change China's war against Vietnam to our United States' Vietnam War." That’s it.”

At this point, he couldn't help but say a curse word, "These crazy Vietnamese!"

The Vietnam War is a heavy topic for Americans.

Especially for people of Arthur Miller's generation, the Vietnam War had just passed a few years ago, and it was their personal experience that made it even more difficult to let go.

Lin Weimin couldn't help complaining, "What qualifications do you Americans have to scold Vietnamese monkeys? We Chinese are just fine."

"But..." Arthur Miller pondered.

"But what?"

"Can I see the complete performance of this play?" Arthur Miller suggested.

Lin Weimin thought, this shouldn't be difficult, just find a day when the actors have time and just play it for him once.

Lin Weimin believes that if there is an opportunity to bring his own drama to the American drama stage, the leaders and actors of Renyi will not miss it.

After all, this is a matter of bringing glory to the country!

When the two found him, they only had a brief chat, and Teacher Yu was suddenly so excited that he couldn't contain himself.

"A good thing! A great thing!"

“We at the People’s Art Institute will do our best to support!”

"Today, no, today is too late. Tomorrow, tomorrow night, I will organize people, right at our rehearsal venue, to let Mr. Arthur Miller watch this play!"

Lin Weimin talked about the way of being in Chinese: "Teacher Yu, not only "The Intouchables", but also "The Horse Trapper"."

""Horse Trapper"?" Su Zhi's face was once again surprised, "Will this one also be introduced?"

"No, just show it to Mr. Miller first. I think it would be very appropriate for this play to be adapted and brought to the United States."

So the wrinkles on his face calmed down a bit, "Oh! OK, OK, I'll make arrangements."

Arthur Miller asked: "Lin, what are you talking about?"

Lin Weimin explained: "Just now, Dean Yu and I mentioned another drama work of mine. It has not been officially performed yet. I think it can be put on the stage in the United States with slight changes."

"Horse Trapper" itself is Lin Weimin's remake of "The Kite Runner". The original author of this novel is a white-hearted American of Afghan origin. The novel itself is full of American self-righteous values. Lin Weimin originally edited it in It took a lot of effort to translate it into Chinese.

Well, this time, if Arthur Miller really wants to introduce it to Broadway, Lin Weimin can almost effortlessly come up with a brand new work for him that is completely in line with the American cultural background and values.

Perhaps the biggest change is the war in Afghanistan in the background of the story. This is easy to fix. Americans are causing trouble all over the world, so don't make it easy to change.

Arthur Miller pulled Lin Weimin and said, "Lin, please tell me in detail!"

So he glanced at the clock on the wall.

It's already past nine o'clock in the evening, can't you two change places?

Lin Weimin and Arthur Miller chatted for more than an hour.

"The Kite Runner" itself is a product of American values. Lin Weiminmo changed it to "Horse Trapper". When narrating it to Arthur Miller, he was more inclined to the values ​​​​of the original version, so Arthur Miller could introduce it better.

After listening, his interest became more intense.

On the evening of the next day, "The Intouchables", which had been suspended for almost half a year, was performed at Renyi's rehearsal venue. Arthur Miller's slap almost turned red.

"Lin, you are really an outstanding playwright!" Arthur Miller praised.

"Mr. Miller, you are flattered."

Arthur Miller watched the actors returning to the backstage one after another, looking forward to tomorrow's "Horse Hustler" more and more.

Another day passed and "Horse Trapper" was performed again at the People's Art Rehearsal Field.

Compared with "The Intouchable", which was a bit stiff due to a half-year hiatus, "Horse Rooster" was performed more smoothly because of continuous rehearsals.

At the end of the curtain call, Arthur Miller's reaction was a little different from yesterday.

"Mr. Miller, what's wrong with you?" Lin Weimin asked the thoughtful Arthur Miller.

Arthur Miller looked at Lin Weimin and said, "Lin, both of these plays are very good. I'm just confused about which one I should take."

Only children make choices.

Lin Weimin laughed and said: "Why are you so entangled? Isn't everything going to be bad?"