"'Macbeth'. Andy looked down at his watch, didn't continue to sell off, and revealed the answer, "In terms of the creative cast, there are really a lot of names, I can't remember exactly, but I remember the theater manager, Emma-Fieding." ”

No, Lan Li raised his eyebrows and lowered his chin to show understanding, "Oh, Almeida Theater." ”

Andy's eyes widened unexpectedly, "Yes, you know her?"

Lan Li didn't admit it, but she didn't deny it, but bypassed the topic, "It's a rather interesting theater, the rehearsals are new and challenging, and they always bring surprises. I remember, huh...... Five years ago, they rehearsed the famous '1984', which was a sensation in London's West End, and 'American Psycho', which was also a good attempt. ”

In the field of theater, because of the uniqueness of the theater stage, the repertoire is relatively fixed, and after a play is determined, for a short period of two seasons or several years, the repertoire and the theater are bundled together, and are widely known to the public, such as "Les Miserables" and the Queen's Theatre, such as "The Phantom of the Opera" and Her Majesty's Theatre (Her-Majesty's-Theatre).

This also means that the decisions of theatre managers are crucial, and their ability to select the artistic taste and appreciation of plays determines not only the feedback of the market, but also the taste of the theatre. Therefore, in London's art lover circles, or in high society circles, when it comes to theaters, theater managers are an unavoidable topic.

In fact, in a way, theater managers and gallery art directors are similar, even in high society circles, they can often open a small window and be among them.

Emma Fieldin, manager of the Almeida Theatre. Any one of these keywords can be automatically associated with the other.

"So, now they're staging 'Macbeth'?" Lan Li thought it was a very interesting choice.

As one of Shakespeare's four great tragedies, "Macbeth" is naturally artistic, but because the subject matter is too heavy and there are a lot of monologues in the play, in the general recession of the theater market in recent years, Emma actually chose to put it on the stage again, which is indeed a great courage.

With a flash of inspiration in his mind, Lan Li asked, "The director is John Cord?"

John, the mentor of Lan Li, had just met once at the unveiling of Eaton Dormer's personal brand not long ago. John excelled in Shakespeare's plays, and in recent years has been looking forward to bringing Shakespeare back to the stage, with his famous work "Hamlet".

"Oh, yes, John Cord!" Andy didn't think about it just now, but now that Lan Li pulled the trigger, the name suddenly became clear, "Yes, you know him?" The same rhetorical question, just a change of pronouns, Andy immediately realized his clumsiness and laughed dumbly, "Wait, let's rewind, how much do you know about the West End, why do I think I've done so much work behind the scenes, and you're in control?"

Lan Li smiled dumbly, shrugged his shoulders, and showed his innocence, "I'm from London, you should have known about it a long time ago." On weekends, we always choose the theatre to pass the time. ”

"No, I don't know, because you never mentioned it. Andy seized the opportunity and shook his head in a pretended seriousness, but the Maitreya Buddha-like smile revealed the true emotions in his heart, "What else do you need to explain? Honestly, I met with Emma again tonight, and while we were talking, what else did I need to know to avoid me becoming a fool?"

"I graduated from the Royal Academy of Drama and then spent over a year in London's West End. That's all. Lan Li said with a smile, as for the surname "Hall", although there has been a lot of gossip recently, it is still difficult for outsiders to connect directly.

Andy's eyes narrowed, and his face was full of "I don't believe it", "That's all?" So I'm in front of Emma, and when I mention Ranley Hall, she won't suddenly say, she's your ex-girlfriend or something, or John Cord, he won't say you've ever dated?" Andy joked as well.

A shallow smile appeared in Lan Li's eyes, "By the way, I forgot to tell you, John is my teacher." ”

"......" Andy squinted, but froze in place, and Nathan and Roy, who were sitting next to him, snorted and chuckled. Andy's gaze didn't move, it still fell on Lan Li, and then said in a calm tone, "You mean, my efforts in the past have been useless? You have already caught up with the line? But you didn't tell me? I can actually go to Berlin without coming to London? So, is that so?"

Lan Li and Andy have known each other for two years, and although Andy is always smiling, Lan Li will not naively think that Andy is a good gentleman. It's just that it wasn't until today that Lan Li really saw Andy's gritted teeth for the first time - the time when "buried alive" screenwriter Chris Sparin wrote a self-recommendation email, Lan Li experienced it indirectly through the telephone receiver.

Lan Li knew that he had to stay serious and talk sincerely at this time, but the smile in his eyes still rolled uncontrollably, could this be regarded as a flood that washed the Dragon King Temple?

However, Lan Li still explained seriously, "When I was in London in November, John and I casually mentioned it, but the filming schedule of 'Edge of Tomorrow' could not be determined, let alone rehearsals, and I couldn't even participate in the audition. So, we didn't have a deep conversation. ”

"Also, John is my teacher, but he won't give me any special treatment. Because this is the West End of London, there are hundreds of actors here, and everyone has to rely on their own strength to stand their ground. It's the same with Broadway. "I take it for granted that his repertoire should have found the right actors and should enter the intensive rehearsal stage, but it is clear that his focus is on 'Macbeth' for the time being, and new plays are still in preparation." ”

Unlike the film and television fields, the rules and regulations of the theater industry are still very strict, and the iron law of strength is still unshakable. Whether it's a newcomer or a Hollywood superstar, they all have to keep their feet on the ground and make sure that the performance on stage is "flawless" – at least in that direction.

This is true for Broadway, where entertainment is to death, or to the West End where art is paramount. This is the bottom line of the drama circle, and it is also their insistence. In the UK, whether it is a top superstar or a veteran actor, if you want to win a position in the industry, London's West End is a must-go threshold, and the Oscar statuette and the trophies of the three major European film festivals do not work, everything is seen on the theater stage.

On the morning of the audition for "War in the Pacific", George and Elizabeth called Ranley and asked him to go back to London because they had found a place for Lamlie in the "Hamlet" crew. However, even if they dredged up the relationship and arranged Lan Li into it, they couldn't ensure that whether it was the first line, the second team or the third team, in the final analysis, it still depends on Lan Li's strength.

This is the West End of London, which has always had a high and proud theatrical circle.

"So, the play that John is preparing ......" After explaining, Lan Li took the initiative to pull the topic back, "Is it also 'Les Miserables'?"

On party night, John mentioned that he was working on two new productions, "Les Miserables" and "Peter Pan." Lan Li didn't pay much attention to it at the time, taking it for granted that it was more likely that "Peter Pan" would return to the stage, but now it seems that the preparations for "Les Miserables" are temporarily ahead.

If you think about it, it's not surprising that in the absence of funds, a repertoire as prestigious as "Les Miserables" is always easier to attract sponsorship. Cameron's version of "Les Miserables" is still being played at the Queen's Theatre, and if there is a back-to-the-table play, it is bound to be a hot topic in London's West End, which is also in line with the usual style of the Almeida Theatre.

The reason why Lan Li thinks so is because of Andy. Andy couldn't wait to come to London, apparently ready for both, the same "Les Miserables", with a film adaptation on one side and a stage rearranged version on the other, no matter which version, it was worth participating in.

For the same work, the template is applied to both art forms, which is the most affordable and straightforward way to choose a work - when a Broadway play is adapted into a Hollywood movie, the casting director often gives preference to the original Broadway actors, and it is a matter of course.

Now, Andy is trying to replicate that template.

"Yes. Andy nodded in affirmation, and let out a long breath, thinking back to his busy past few months, and then looking at Lan Li's complacency, the smile on the corner of his mouth all the time couldn't help but feel a little helpless, "Lan Li, I need you to share this information with me, which is very important to my work." Honestly, if you reach out to John, will you be able to get an audition, or even a direct starring role?"

Lan Li was about to speak, but Andy stopped him with his eyes, and then added, "Also, what was your status in the West End before?

Looking at Andy, who was talking endlessly, as if he had palpitations, Lan Li smiled even more happily, "You mean, if I can handle the work here, you don't care?"

Not only did they not answer the questions, but they also launched a counterattack.

Andy also laughed dumbly, but still explained seriously, "Correct, it's not that I don't care, but to start the Berlin Film Festival and award season more efficiently." But, Europe is unfamiliar territory, and the artists here obviously don't have much affection for Hollywood, and I need your help. ”