Today is the day when "The Factory," a play by Shangxing, first officially meets its audience.
For Tang Shu, this is also her first relatively formal stage play. If she can perform this play completely, it will mean she has become a true theater actress.
No longer a minor actor who plays an expendable role.
On stage, wearing a plain and cheap-looking blue work uniform, Tang Shu nervously stands in front of the beauty team leader played by Tong Tong, waiting for her tasks to be assigned, and the little story unfolds from there.
The audience in the theater watches with interest as a dozen or so actors on stage perform a brand-new story, while pondering the significance of the tale in their minds.
Of course, not only regulars were sitting in the theater, but also those trying out this art form for the first time.
"They say that not a single line in a play is superfluous, is that true?"
"Of course, to perform a meaningful story within two hours, it’s very difficult for both the actors and the playwright."
"A play is not a TV drama; its charm lies in the fact that the plot never drags, and every moment has its role and meaning."
A regular beside joins the group chat, which immediately turns the newcomer into a curious cat with a thousand questions:
"So, what exactly did that line just now mean?"
"Forgive me, I can only grasp the literal meaning..."
"Well... watch more, a play is a philosophical medium, it requires repeated appreciation to understand its meaning."
The newcomer casts a profound glance at the familiar regular.
[Oh~~~ turns out you don’t know either——]
The regular silently leaves the group chat, today’s kids are too hard to handle, sob~~
While observing the story, the audience under the stage whispers their opinions to one another. Tang Shu and Tong Tong on stage are steadily improving in their performances, which brings great satisfaction to Master Ke and others in a corner of the audience seats.
"This young lady is really good, she’s brought her character to life."
"Indeed, Old Ke, you have a good eye. You went back to the industry to shoot a movie and then immediately found such a gem; I’m quite envious."
Could his old friend’s luck be too good? He also wants to find a talented, spirited, and good-looking young one to mentor—
Master Yan silently sighs, looking over at Master Ke with complex emotions in his eyes – envy mixed with admiration.
"Such things rely on luck, being jealous is futile."
Can we not have a proper conversation? Decades of friendship and it capsizes this easily.
Master Ke has already moved on to another subject, "’The Factory’ has great representational significance, it’s already on air, and I think it won’t be long before it becomes yet another signature work of Lotus Drama Society."
"It’s probably not just that, the lead actor is Xiao Shu, considering her influence in the circle, ’The Factory’ could very well be more popular than any other story from our drama society."
"You’re so optimistic about her? When that young lady first came to the society, you weren’t talking this way when you saw her radiant beauty."
Master Yan is obviously caught off guard by his friend, "That’s old news, when did you get into the habit of exposing people’s shortcomings?"
Don’t talk nonsense, I didn’t, that wasn’t me!
Master Ke scoffs with disdain, "Hmph!"