Chapter 169 Drama "The Donkey Gets Water"
Ma Weidu: "They like Donkey Gets Water and want to adapt it into a play."
Liu Hongmin suddenly realized that it was not surprising since it was for "Duds".
"You reply to them and let them adapt it as they please."
"Okay, I'll stop by the Central Theater on my way back."
Ma Weidu was a warm-hearted person. The Central Theatre was in Nanluoguxiang, east of Liu Hongmin's house, and Ma Weidu's home was west of Liu Hongmin's. However, in his opinion, as long as it did not prevent him from going home before dark, it was on the way.
Soon, Ma Weidu arrived at the Central Academy of Drama and found teacher Wang Yongde, who wanted to adapt "The Donkey Gets Water".
"Lao Wang, I've talked to Hongmin, and he lets you use it as you like."
Wang Yongde was very grateful, "Old Ma, thank you so much."
"You're too polite." Ma Weidu sat down and started chatting with Wang Yongde.
Wang Yongde is also a writer and often publishes articles in magazines. The two met through a writers' gathering.
"The adaptation of "Mr. Donkey" is not difficult, but the requirements for actors are very high. You should have suitable candidates, right?"
"Of course!" Wang Yongde nodded and said proudly, "When we recruit students at the Central Academy of Drama, we recruit them according to the roles of Sheng, Dan, Jing, and Chou. No matter what type of students, we have them."
Ma Weidu said with a smile: "I know that you students from the Central Academy of Drama are very good, okay?"
Wang Yongde is very proud of his students. After graduation, he stayed on to teach at the school and taught many talented students.
After chatting for a while, Ma Weidu stood up to say goodbye. Wang Yongde saw him off and said, "By the way, Lao Ma, when is Comrade Liu Hongmin free? I want to invite him to come to the school to help us check the rehearsal results."
Ma Weidu hesitated for a moment, "I want to ask this. As you know, Hongmin is a very busy man."
"Of course I know. I asked you to ask for help!" Wang Yongde flattered, "Among the people I know, you are the only one who can talk to Comrade Liu Hongmin."
Ma Weidu pointed his finger at him and said, "Old Wang, I find that you have become a bad person! When you don't need me, you show off to me. When you need me, you start to flatter me."
The two chatted and laughed for a while, and Ma Weidu immediately rode away. Seeing that it was still early, he went to Liu Hongmin's house again.
Seeing Ma Weidu coming back, Liu Hongmin was a little confused, "Anything else?"
Ma Weidu repeated Wang Yongde's request. Liu Hongmin thought about it and felt that nothing seemed to have happened recently.
"This Saturday!"
"Okay, I'll talk to Lao Wang tomorrow."
"Stay for dinner! It's been a while since we last had a drink together."
"I'll ride my bike back first, and then tell my family."
"Can't you just install a phone?"
"With the money from installing the phone, I can buy an antique table."
Liu Hongmin shook his head speechlessly, "Sooner or later you will suffer a loss on antiques."
"You are still here to help me!"
Ma Weidu has a clear mind. Liu Hongmin is his benefactor. He is willing to work for Liu Hongmin, thinking that Liu Hongmin can guarantee the minimum living standard. Antiques are his hobby, an investment, and the upper limit of his financial management. Liu Hongmin wants too much, but he doesn't have that much energy. Fortunately, there are Zou Shifang and Ma Weidu. One of them helps him keep an eye on the company and investment in Hong Kong, and the other helps him take care of trivial matters in Beijing. These two people are his left and right arms, and neither of them can be missing.
After drinking, Ma Weidu talked more. He told Liu Hongmin about how he met Wang Yongde, which gave Liu Hongmin a preliminary impression of this teacher from the Central Academy of Drama whom he had never met before.
On Saturday, Chen Yu drove the two of them to the entrance of the Central Theatre.
Wang Yongde and a large group of students were already waiting at the door. When they saw Liu Hongmin coming, they immediately shouted in unison: "Welcome Comrade Liu Hongmin to come and give us guidance."
Liu Hongmin was embarrassed and said quickly: "My fellow students, you are too kind!"
Ma Weidu said with a smile: "Old Wang, why didn't I see such a scene when I came?"
Wang Yongde joked: "How can you compare yourself with Comrade Hongmin? Comrade Hongmin is a role model for us writers."
"Teacher Wang, you really overpraise me. I'm just a little luckier."
"Being lucky doesn't necessarily mean you can write masterpieces like Lies and Donkey Gets Water." Wang Yongde held Liu Hongmin's hands, "Comrade Hongmin, I have admired you for a long time, and today I finally meet you."
Liu Hongmin: "I have also admired Teacher Wang for a long time. Teacher Wang, let's not stand here anymore, let's go in first!"
"Yes, let's go in first."
Wang Yongde waved his hand quickly, "Go and get ready, each group will perform one scene, and perform well."
The students nodded immediately and hurried to the theater to prepare.
Accompanied by Wang Yongde, Liu Hongmin followed the students to the theater. Several people sat down in the audience, and soon the drama began.
At the beginning of the first act, several actors came on stage and began to perform. I have to say that the students of the Central Academy of Drama have some skills. They can perform well in just a few days.
Wang Yongde looked at Liu Hongmin nodding continuously and immediately felt happy.
"Comrade Hongmin, these are students from the Class of 83. They all like The Donkey Gets Water very much and have practiced it many times in private, so they can achieve the current performance effect."
Liu Hongmin showed no expression on his face, but he was thinking: If I rehearse too many times, my level won't be displayed.
Wang Yongde was a little disappointed to see that Liu Hongmin didn't express anything special. He had a selfish motive in inviting Liu Hongmin.
Many people know that Liu Hongmin has a film company in Hong Kong, and all the actors who can sign him have made a lot of money. In the past two years, with the increase of co-productions between the two places, the salary gap between the two places has always been a headache for mainland artists, who are both jealous and envious. Therefore, if there is a chance to go to Hong Kong to make a lot of money, no mainland artist will give it up.
However, Hong Kong film and television companies do not look down on mainland artists. Even if they do, they still want mainland artists to help reduce costs and do not want to pay them high salaries.
Therefore, the only channel for mainland artists to go to Hong Kong is to sign a contract with Liu Hongmin’s company.
Wu Jing was a primary school student. After signing a three-year contract, he not only earned enough money to buy a house in Hong Kong, but also bought a courtyard house in Beijing. Li Lianjie just signed a contract this year, and his salary was 300,000 Hong Kong dollars, which is enough to pay the salary of the People's Art Theater for decades.
Unfortunately, Liu Hongmin did not like the students from Class 83.
Soon, the second act began. Wang Yongde immediately regrouped, "Comrade Hongmin, these are students from the class of 84. The actress who plays Zhang Yiman is Zhao Lijuan, a very talented student..."
Liu Hongmin nodded, "These are much better than the previous ones, and the characters are more appropriate."
Wang Yongde was delighted, "They all have their own understanding of the characters."
(End of this chapter)
