1980 My literary era

The atmosphere in the editorial office of "Contemporary" before this year's New Year is completely different from the leisurely and soothing pace before this year's New Year.

"White Deer Plain" was published in the first issue in 1990, which was considered a big satellite.

How big is this satellite?

Tu An, the former editor-in-chief of the Chinese Literature Society, made a special call to Lin Weimin, the editorial director of "Contemporary", and requested two copies of "Contemporary" from musician Qu Xixian at the request of musician Qu Xixian.

And this was no longer the first call Cheng Wanchun received.

The first issue of "Contemporary" in 1990 was sold out within half a month of its launch. The book was hard to find and paper was expensive in Luoyang.

The number of additional copies of this issue became the focus of discussion in the editorial department. The discussion lasted for a long time. In the end, Lin Weimin waved his hand and printed another one million copies, asking the printing factory to work overtime and make sure to distribute these publications before the Spring Festival. to all parts of the country.

There is still one week left before the Spring Festival, and the holiday is about to begin. This task is quite stressful.

When "Contemporary" was in chaos due to the sensation caused by "White Deer Plain", Arthur Miller, who was far away in the United States, called Lin Weimin.

The American version of "Farewell My Concubine", which has been in preparation for more than half a year, finally premiered at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway on January 14, US time. "Farewell My Concubine" set a record in Broadway history on the night it was performed.

There is no such thing as online ticket purchase these days. To watch a play, you can only buy tickets at the theater or several purchasing agencies in New York City.

"Farewell My Concubine" has been published in the United States for eight years and has accumulated a large number of novel readers. This group of people heard the news that the drama version of "Farewell My Concubine" was about to be performed, and the tickets for the premiere day were sold out early. As a result, many regular visitors to Broadway plays were unable to buy tickets before the premiere.

On the day of the premiere, many audience members who wanted to see the play but did not have tickets could only linger at the entrance of the Barrymore Theater. At this time, a wise man had an idea and shouted in the crowd to charge high prices for tickets.

If the price doubles and no one sells it, double the price.

After shouting for a long time, this man actually bought the ticket, and the fare he spent was ten times the normal fare.

Seeing that Dasheng's strategy was successful, some spectators who were not short of money in the crowd were eager to imitate his routine.

Suddenly, a wave of reverse scalpers appeared at the entrance of the Barrymore Theater.

This incident suddenly became the biggest news on Broadway that night.

The direct consequence of this incident is that it is difficult to get tickets for "Farewell My Concubine" after the premiere day.

Because "Farewell My Concubine" has a large number of novel readers, the audience base is already large. Coupled with such publicity, readers who want to buy tickets to watch the drama flocked to the theater box office, and the tickets for the performances were all sold out.

In just a few days, "Farewell My Concubine" became a hit on Broadway in this way.

Of course, this is just one aspect of "Farewell My Concubine"'s popularity on Broadway.

This play took seven months from the time Lin Weimin came up with the script to the start of the performance, which is quite long among Broadway play productions. The main reason is to wait for the dragon.

After "The Last Emperor", John Lung became a popular Chinese actor in Hollywood.

Putting the words "hot" and "Chinese" together, Zunlong is destined to be famous in Hollywood, but he has very few choices.

In 1988, I finally got a role in the historical film "Glory Days" directed by Alan Rudolph. In 1989, I was in a situation where I didn't have a good script to shoot. I finally got a role in "Dragon in China", but it was a nondescript Eastern and Western film. Mix and match styles.

During the break in the filming of "Dragon in China", Zun Long heard the news that "Farewell My Concubine" was going to be moved to Broadway in Hong Kong, so he contacted Lin Weimin and expressed his hope to play the role of "Cheng Dieyi" in the movie.

Despite cooperating with "The Last Emperor", Lin Weimin has no friendship with Zun Lung. He did not participate in the production of "Farewell My Concubine" and only recommended Zun Lung to Arthur Miller.

Arthur Miller naturally welcomed him with both hands. Although Zunlong had the blessing of "The Last Emperor", his development in Hollywood was still limited due to skin color issues.

But "Farewell My Concubine" itself is a Chinese drama, and it also has an all-Asian cast. The addition of Zun Lung has only increased the topicality and popularity. How could Arthur Miller be unhappy?

Moreover, Zunlong himself was born on Broadway and has been active on the Broadway stage since the early 1980s.

In 1980, he first starred in the stage play "F.O.B." written by Henry Huang.

In 1981, he directed and acted in the stage play "Railway and Dance". In the same year, he won the Best Performance Award at the 25th Obie Award for "F.O.B." and "Railway and Dance".

In 1983, Zunlong once again wrote, directed and acted in the stage play "Sounds and Beauties". Only then was he discovered by Hollywood and embarked on the film path.

In addition to these factors, there is another reason why Arthur Miller is willing to wait for Zun Long, which is that Zun Long was sent to Xiangjiang to study Peking Opera since he was a child, and he has a foundation in Peking Opera.

Coupled with his handsome and feminine appearance, he is really the perfect choice to play Cheng Dieyi.

As it turns out, Arthur Miller was right to wait.

The joining of Zun Lung not only brought great convenience to the promotion of "Farewell My Concubine", but after the premiere, his role as Cheng Dieyi was also unanimously praised by the audience and the critics who watched the performance on the day of the premiere. It received favorable reviews, saying that he "100% restored Cheng Dieyi in the novel".

Ever since he watched the People's Art version of "Farewell My Concubine" in China in 1983, Arthur Miller has been obsessed with this play. Now that he has finally moved this play to the Broadway stage, Arthur Miller has finally completed it. wish.

After reporting the good news to Lin Weimin, Arthur Miller told him another news.

"Lin, after "Farewell My Concubine", I will no longer participate in the production of dramas."

Faced with this, Lin Weimin was suddenly stunned by the news, "You won't do anything anymore? Retired?"

"I'm over eighty, and I don't have that much energy anymore!" Arthur Miller sighed.

Arthur Miller was nearly eighty years old when the two met, but his physical condition and mental outlook gave the impression that he was in his sixties. Arthur Miller did not mention his age, and Lin Weimin did sometimes ignore his age.

In the past few years, Lin Weimin's works have been continuously moved to the Broadway stage, and he has gradually felt a lack of energy.

"Although I'm a little sorry, Arthur, I wish you all the best in your retirement life!"

"I am very honored that "Farewell My Concubine" will be the last work I participate in in my drama career." Arthur Miller said with emotion.

"Arthur, this is my honor too!"

The tone of both parties on the phone was a little sad. Arthur Miller smiled and said, "You won't need an old man like me when your work is moved to Broadway in the future."

Arthur Miller is right. With the accumulation of three drama works and his popularity in the United States, Lin Weimin is now well-known in the American theater circle. Even if Arthur Miller retires, his works will still be on the stage. It's a Broadway stage, and it's the kind of thing people want.

After ending the call with Arthur Miller, Lin Weimin looked out the window.

It's snowing in Yanjing, with snowflakes all over the sky. The buildings in the distance are hidden in the snow, and the whole world is only monotonous white.

These days, Tao Huimin is filming the TV series "Yang Naiwu and Xiao Baicai" produced by Shanghai TV Station, playing the heroine Xiao Baicai. She doesn't get home until after eight o'clock in the evening.

Lin Weimin drove to Shichahai courtyard after work.

"Tiesheng! Tiesheng!"

He knocked on the courtyard door loudly, Cheng Ximi opened the courtyard door, and Shi Tiesheng was looking at him under the eaves of the door, rolling his wheelchair.

"Huimin came back late, so I came to your house to have a meal today." Lin Weimin said to Cheng Ximi.

As soon as I entered the house, I felt a rush of heat, and the heater was burning warm.

"In this weather, we should get some mutton!" Lin Weimin said.

Shi Tiesheng smiled and said, "Did you know that your family has prepared mutton for the New Year?"

"Really? That's great!"

Lin Weimin was in high spirits and showed no signs of surprise.

Father Shi and Cheng Ximi were busy having dinner in the kitchen, while Lin Weimin and Shi Tiesheng stood by the window and looked out the window.

"The snow is really heavy!" Lin Weimin sighed.

"Yes! It's so big!" Shi Tiesheng said.

Lin Weimin glanced at him, "You, you haven't become a leader yet, you just suffered the disadvantage of being uneducated!"

"You are educated, you say so!" Shi Tiesheng retorted.

"I haven't even graduated from junior high school. Strictly speaking, I have an elementary school degree. You have a junior high school degree after all!"

"I'm better at sports!"

After a few words of bickering, Lin Weimin's mood dropped.

"Tie Sheng! The eighties are about to pass!"

Shi Tiesheng's eyes sparkled and he said, "Yes, the new 1990s are coming!"

Lin Weimin glanced at Shi Tiesheng helplessly, "Can you please don't ruin the atmosphere? I'm sentimental about the glorious 1980s, which is about to become a thing of the past!"

"Is the 1980s considered glorious?" Shi Tiesheng asked in return.

Lin Weimin was stunned.

Yes, was the 1980s considered glorious?

If you look at it purely from the perspective of the literary world, it should be brilliant, even unprecedented in China's history.

People in it may not even notice it, and they think it's all natural. As everyone knows, this is a grand scene that has never been seen in the history of Chinese literature.

As long as it has something to do with literature, everyone will pursue it and envy it!

But……

What about literature?

The trend of reform and opening up has been swaying in the past ten years like branches in the wind. Domestic material life has been enriched to a certain extent. A very small group of people have become rich, but the wider public is enjoying the benefits of reform and opening up. Along with the results, we are also enduring the pain it brings.

These ten years have not been easy for the country, and it has been even harder for the people.

"The 1980s will eventually pass!" Shi Tiesheng said.

Lin Weimin nodded, "Yes, it will eventually become a thing of the past!"

In the room, the two looked at each other in silence.

At this time, Father Shi came into the house with a bowl of sesame paste and handed it to Lin Weimin, "Weimin, please give me a handful of this sesame paste!"

Lin Weimin took the sesame paste, poured some warm water and stirred it up. When Father Shi was about to leave the house, he did not forget to warn him: "Uncle, don't forget the sugar and garlic!"

"I know!" Father Shi agreed and left the house.

After Shi's father interrupted, the sentimental atmosphere in the room disappeared.

Shi Tiesheng looked at Lin Weimin stirring the sesame sauce with great joy, and spat: "You are such a vulgar person!"

"Bah! You are a commoner, but I am an artist!"

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