Memoirs of Mei Lanfang (23)

The first attempt of the new fashion drama "The Waves of the Sea"

In January 1951, Mr. Mei returned to Shanghai from Beijing. He had been away from Shanghai for a long time, and this time he came back just in time for the Spring Festival, and there was inevitably a round trip between relatives and friends, so we did not have many opportunities to talk, and it was not until the evening of the fourth day of the first lunar month that we had dinner at Mr. Feng Youwei's house. There are a total of eight people here, including Mr. Feng Youwei, Wu Zhenxiu, Li Shihuan, and Xu Boming, who have known Mr. Mei for more than 40 years, and Mr. Zhang Fengzi, my younger brother Yuanlai, and three people who have known Mr. Mei for more than 30 years. With so many old friends gathered together, Mr. May had a very happy day. After the meal, after these old friends helped him reminisce, Mr. Mei talked about the process of singing a new fashion drama for the first time in Yiwen Society, and talked about it in one breath for a few hours. The two of my brothers were so busy that they kept waving their hands and writing along, which was a bit overwhelming.

"When I came back from Shanghai in 1913," said Mr. May, "I had a new understanding. I think that the old dramas we sing are all based on ancient historical facts, although the content of some plays is educational, and the audience can play a little role after watching it. However, if we directly take modern current events and compile them into a new drama, wouldn't it be more intimate and enjoyable for those who watch it? The results may be greater than that of the old dramas. This new trend of thought has been in my mind for half a year. Slowly, the theater also knew that I had this intention, and in July of that year, the manager of Yiwen Society brought a few books to discuss with me to arrange a new fashion play. There is a play "Waves in the Sea of Evil", which is based on local news in Beijing.

The story is about a bully who opened a brothel called Zhang Fool, forced Liang to become a prostitute, and abused prostitutes, so that Peng Yizhong, who was the editor-in-chief of the "Beijing Daily", exposed Zhang Fool's crime in the newspaper, which aroused public outrage in the society. At the same time, Peng Yizhong's suggestion was adopted, and following the example of Shanghai, a Jiliang center was set up to house prostitutes, teach them to read and write, and learn to Xi handicrafts. In the end, the abducted prostitutes were brought back by their families to Jiliang, and their flesh and blood were reunited.

"I read the script and felt that the content made some sense. I asked a few old friends to help me scrutinize it, and we started a discussion that night. Some people don't advocate that I pretend to be a fashion prostitute, but most of them think that the unfortunate lives of the women who have been abducted to suffer and the ferocity of the bullies are social realities that should be performed to remind everyone's attention. Encouraged by my friends, and anxious to realize my new plan, I decided on the script against all odds and used it as my first experiment in acting in a fashion show.

"I've seen other people's fashion shows. I haven't sung it yet, how should I arrange it, and where do I have the score? Since that day, a few friends and I have been working on this new topic.

"The first step was to decide that the character I played was called Meng Suqing, she was a native of Yingkou, and was coaxed by her mother-in-law to Beijing, sold to a brothel opened by Zhang Duzi, and forced her to receive guests. Her father, Meng Yaochang, was a farmer who farmed the land, and when he got the letter, he rushed to find his daughter. When I met Peng Yizhong, I learned that Zhang Duzi had been arrested and imprisoned, the brothel he opened had been closed, and all the prostitutes had been sent to the newly opened Jiliang Institute to teach them to read and work. According to the proof of the photos, their father and daughter were reunited.

In this play, Wang Huifang plays another prostitute named Jia Xiangyun, and she has a guest named Zhao Yinqing who wants to redeem her. The two of them were discussing in the room, and when they were heard by the old bustard Zhou, they beat Xiangyun badly the next day. Zhang Fool designed to blackmail Zhao Yinqing again, insisting that Zhao Yinqing owed him fifty taels of silver and would not pay it back, and would kidnap Jia Xiangyun. When the trouble came to the co-patrol camp, Yang Qinsan found out the truth, and sentenced Zhang Fool to parade through the streets first, and then imprisoned him.

"The second step is the clothing. Let's first divide Meng Suqing's experience into three periods: (1) the period of abduction, (2) the period of brothel, and (3) the period of Jiliang's work. She also changed her dress into three kinds of clothing: (1) poor peasant dress, (2) she wore silk and satin, which was more gorgeous, and (3) she wore bamboo cloth shirts and trousers, which returned to simplicity. These three kinds of clothing represent three different identities at that time. I always wore braids on my head, and I used a wig because I had already cut my hair. I dressed it up at home first, and everyone looked at it and studied it, and if there was something inappropriate, it was immediately changed. Our show was really a collective creation. Wang Huifang's dress is almost the same as mine, and she also has a big braid behind her back.

"The third step is to study the coordination of the set, the figure and the scene. The technique of the set, which was still in its infancy at the time, was much more naïve than it is now, and it was not used in every scene. In terms of figure, all movements are completely realistic. Those old toys with shaking sleeves and tidying sideburns can't be used. In the scene, the gong and drum guys are added according to the plot. Old dramas are not allowed to be cold on stage, but in new fashion dramas, we often have cold scenes. Anyway, there is a lot of white reading and little singing skills. Even many of the fashion shows I rehearsed later couldn't do without this principle of 'read more and sing less!'. One day I found two fashion photos of Mr. Mei at his house and asked him what kind of play he was playing? He laughed and said: "This is my first time in Shanghai, and I met Wang Youyou, Zhang Shuangyi, Chen Dabei, and Hu Hatsheng. I said to them, 'I have no dresses or heads.' Who knows, the next day, Hu Hesheng took a carriage with a bag of clothes, and happily invited me to take pictures. I didn't like to sweep people's interest, so I went to Xinmin Photo Studio with him and took a few fashion portraits casually. They also wore my outfit and took a few pictures. I didn't expect that in the turn of the year, I would actually wear fashion as well. These two photos are the earliest attempts at fashion in my life. ”

This kind of design and rehearsal took several months, and in mid-October, it was officially divided into two books and two days in Yiwen Society. The location is still the paradise of fresh fish mouth.

"The characters in the first book, I play Meng Suqing, Wang Huifang plays Jia Xiangyun, Li Jingshan plays Zhang Fool, Hao Fengchen plays Yang Qinsan, Wang Zishi plays Lao Bustard, and Lu Xinglin plays Zhao Yinqing;

"Zhang Fool forced Meng Suqing to rape a game, and Li Jingshan acted quite vividly. The vicious state of the bullies and gangsters in Beijing at that time was described very realistically. The audience watched it, and they were all indignant and disgusted with the people in this play. Hao Shouchen's expression and tone in the court interrogation of Zhang Duzi's blackmail of Zhao Yinqing were also very realistic.

"The first book abducted and trafficked Meng Suqing, and acted until the court interrogated Zhang Fool.

"The main scene in the second book is Peng Yizhong's suggestion to Yang Qinsan to set up a Jiliang Institute. This was followed by Xi classes on literacy, reading, machines, and crafts for prostitutes. Su Qing and Xiangyun learned Xi machine sewing in Jiliang, which was carefully studied by me and Hui Fang, and re-adapted. There was a slight discrepancy with the script, but we did put a lot of effort into it. While singing and doing at the same time, there was no sound in the audience, and I listened very carefully. It was as if I was moved. Every time I perform here, I can have such a harvest. I still remember putting Singer's sewing machine on the stage. Later, when Meng Yaochang came to find his daughter, Su Qing cried bitterly with a photo of her father. At this time, I saw that there were many women in the audience who were wiping their tears with handkerchiefs.

"Liu Jingran's Peng Yizhong only appeared in the second book. His shape, movements, and tone are still old-fashioned, Peng Yizhong is a reform character, and Liu Jingran has not been able to grasp the character of the people in the play. We admit that this was the less colourful aspect of that show.

In the end, Li Jingshan's Zhang fool brought a big flail and marched through the street with gongs. He shouted, 'Look at me playing a bear, this is the end of my kiln.' 'Full of nasty 'gangster' spirit. Li Jingshan is a success in this play. Finally, the fool's large number board is also very interesting. Here's how he reads:

"'Since I was a child, I have lost my lesson. Misconduct is incestuous and incely. Selling good for prostitution loses conscience. For money, find things. The root of the troubles is Xiangyun. Knock on the gong, there is a sound. The collar belt is heavy with a long flail. Send a patrol officer, followed by a heel. The wooden stick beat me through the yin. I put a white cloth on my back and wrote my charges clearly. The stone tablet was pressed against the body. I advise my peers to wake up quickly, don't learn that Zhang You (Zhang Fool's name is "Yes") is not a person! Today's catastrophe is coming, and I am looking for it myself. In this happy scene, this new fashion drama that was considered a warning at the time ended.

Before the Republic of China, there were a lot of audiences in Beijing. But there was no review in the newspapers. Regarding Mr. Mei's play, Mr. Tao Yisheng first published a comment in the "Asia Daily" in the early Republic of China. In the second or third year of the Republic of China, Mr. Zhang Fengzi rose up to advocate, and his works were often seen in the "Gongyan Daily". Therefore, when it comes to drama reviews, he can be said to be the pioneer of the trend. He commented on Mr. Mei's plays the most, which started with this "Waves of the Sea of Evil".

"This "Waves of the Sea" was my first attempt at acting in a fashion show. In the era of grass creation, the conditions in all aspects are not as satisfactory as ideal. Its ability to call for seats is based on two factors: (1) The new drama is based on local facts, the plot twists and turns, and the audience is easy to understand. (2) The average old audience is accustomed to listening to my old plays, and suddenly they see me dressed up, and their ears and eyes are new, and there is some curiosity. Just because the theater is seated, this initial experiment can be regarded as my successful work. So I continued to discharge "Deng Xiagu" and "A Wisp of Linen...... In the future, I will not often act in "The Waves of the Sea". But I never imagined that when I was in Shuangqing Club, I sang "The Waves of the Sea of Evil" for a few days, but it affected the blockbuster results of an old-timer who appeared by chance. I have been holding this matter in my heart for more than 30 years, and since I have talked about it today, before I talk about this passing fact, I should first review myself, blaming me for being too young at the time, and doing things without thinking, I am indeed Meng Lang a little.

"Shuangqingshe is Yu Zhenting's boss, I returned from Shanghai for the second time in the fourth year of the Republic of China, and began to sing with his class for a long time. There are about three years. Once, he came to discuss with me and asked me to divide the first and second copies of "Waves of the Sea of Evil", which I had not performed for a long time, into four days. Every day, an old play is added to this new play, such as "Sifan", "Trouble", two books of "Hongni Pass", "Fanjiang Pass" and other plays. The owners of their theaters, for the sake of business competition, often like to change new tricks, which is nothing more than a business eye, which is not an unusual thing, and I accepted his request without thinking. Who knew that just in time for Boss Tan to be exposed in the Dangui Tea Garden in the next few days, the drama posted was still very hard. I'm in Jixiang, he's in Dangui, these two restaurants are in Dong'an Market, not far from each other. This is probably because Boss Yu Wu heard the news that Boss Tan was starring in Dangui, and he was afraid that his business would be affected, so he used the brains of this new and old drama to act at the same time. It's equivalent to the gimmick that the owner of the Shanghai theater likes to use, and uses this to fight against Dangui. In the past four days, the auspicious audience could not move, and the seat of Dangui fell by a few percent, and in the last two days, it was even worse. The reason for this is simple. When it comes to Boss Tan's art, do you need to talk about it, it has long been at its peak. But we insiders have two sayings: 'Insiders look at the doorway, and laymen look at the excitement'. Most of the people who came to him were so-called gatekeepers who knew how to play, and when they came to me, there were more people who watched the excitement. In the past, when you analyzed the audience of which theater, there were always people who liked to watch the excitement. Yu Wu competes for business, intrigues, and all kinds of gimmicks are not a problem. I have a three-generation friendship with Boss Tan, and I shouldn't do this.

2. Ring Altar Temple

"After singing "The Waves of the Sea of Evil", a few days later, I accompanied many friends to visit the Jietan Temple. This is a famous place in the Xishan area of Beijing. Because it was too far from the city, mule carts were used as a means of transportation at that time, and they were not fast enough. So if you want to go shopping, you have to stay. I won't be able to come back that day.

"We rode a donkey from a friend's villa in Xishan. There are also two older ones who sit in a sedan chair. The weather was in late summer and early autumn, neither hot nor cold. Everyone talked and laughed, and walked slowly all the way, only to see that the mountains were full of verdant trees, and they turned around, but they did not see the shadow of the Jietan Temple. After walking for more than ten miles, in the middle of the pine forests on both sides, I found a mountain gate. We got off the donkeys together and walked in slowly, and there were still two miles from the mountain gate to the main hall. Looking at the main hall of the Jietan Temple from afar, the golden splendor towers on the mountain, and the front of the eyes has changed a solemn and majestic atmosphere.

In the middle of the main hall, there are several big Buddhas, and there are countless small Buddhas on both sides, so this hall is also called the Thousand Buddha Caves. The hall is deep and tall, and among the many temples I have visited, I am afraid that there is no larger scale than it. It is said to be a building from the Liaojin period. That's more than 800 years old.

"The pine trees in the temple are the most famous, and there are all kinds of them, and people have given it a name. Such as Wolong pine, free pine, Tongtian pine, activity pine...... What I love the most is the long pine tree on the edge of the wide platform in front of the main hall. It does not grow high, but droops when it grows out of the soil, and develops horizontally, so it is called Wolong pine. It sprouted many veins from one side of the river. Even the twigs are as thick as the mouth of a bowl. The trees were covered with turquoise pine needles, like an open umbrella. It is only one zhang high, and the surrounding area is about ten zhang wide. What an interesting pine tree you think? We've also stood by the trees and taken pictures.

"A little later in the Wolong pine, it is the free pine. It's also an interesting name. Supporting it with a stone, you see it as if it is at ease, lazily leaning on this stone, there is indeed a very comfortable posture. Tongtian pine is not far away, and its name is simply because it can stand on the cloud surface and is unattainable. There is no pine tree in the temple that is taller than it.

"The other pine tree is unfortunately dead. Only some old roots are left to wither, leaving them for visitors to hang on. According to the old monk, when it is alive, it shakes on any of its branches, and the branches of the tree will move by itself. 'One branch does not move, a hundred branches do not shake', this is the example of this tree.

"Between the mountain gate and the main hall, there is a wide platform. That's the ordination altar that this temple got its name for. A long time ago, all major jungles had the equipment of the ordination altar, which was the place where the monks passed on the precepts. Its shape is similar to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, and it is made of bricks and stones. It is also carved with a fine pattern. Step by step, we climbed the stairs, and it was really high. I walked up to the altar and looked up at the sky, and the sky seemed to be above me. The square above can accommodate several hundred people. It is said that in those days, monasteries in various provinces had to send monks to participate in the ordination. Although this ordination altar is still towering there, there is no monk who has come to receive ordination again, and it only exists as a scenic relic.

"We got off the ordination altar and were entertained by the monk and saw the accommodation. There are a number of rooms in that row, just like a hotel, you can choose to stay. The inside is all laid out simply and cleanly. As soon as we went in and sat down, there were guys from the temple, who made a few basins of face water and a pot of fragrant tea. After everyone wiped their faces and took a sip of tea, where did they sit in the house all the time? and went out to visit a pagoda where many monks were buried. Each pagoda is built of bricks, which is the usual rule on the monk's tomb. It is also very interesting to have these many small pagodas full of antiquity, large and small, unevenly dotted next to this ancient temple in the deep mountains.

"We saw the monk's grave and walked back the way we came. After walking a few steps, I saw seven or eight tourists coming from a distance, surrounded by an old man walking in front. He wore a snow-blue robe with yellow shoulders, and a small hat with a tourmaline on it. The thin man is not too tall, with light and healthy walks and a graceful demeanor. I was estimating in my heart that this old man's behavior and actions were very similar to Boss Tan, and when I got closer, I was not wrong at all, it was him. I hurried up to him, stood next to him with my hands down. I called him 'Grandpa' very deferentially. He also saw that it was me, and said to me with a smile, 'All right, you boy, have come to me again.' Come up to me and sit down in a moment. I said yes. He greeted all the friends I had with him, and invited them to talk. After saying that, they parted ways. As I walked, I reflected on the two words he had just said, which were pun-incents. On the way, I analyzed the events of the previous few days in detail, and I should bear the blame for this mistake. Today I will give you the reason, all of you.

"It is said that Boss Tan and I are both actors on the stage, each singing his own play, I can't talk about what you want you to hide. This time, however, the situation was a little different. Because he was in his old age, he didn't often come out. I'm in the prime of life, and I have a lot of days singing. When he shows up for a few days by chance, I shouldn't follow Yu Zhenting's intentions and use new tricks to sing new plays and old dramas to fight against him. I'm not bad When I agreed to Yu Zhenting's request, I was at fault because Boss Tan didn't negotiate with Yu Wu and change our scheduled plan after Dangui posted the main play. In fact, after Boss Tan sang it, wouldn't it be possible to let Yu Wu make this gimmick? I really only cared about the auspicious business at that time, ignoring that Dangui would be affected so much. Later, the facts have told us that his seat is not good, and I am still aggressive and refuse to give in. made this long-famous old artist, before he was about to end his stage life, he encountered such an unhappy one. This is unjustifiable in any way. I confess today that I was young and ignorant and reckless. ”

When Mr. Mei said this, he said to me very sincerely: "Please write it down as I say, so that Bao Jiu and them can see it." ”

"Let's go back to the house," Mr. Mei continued, "and we'll take a break and go see Boss Tan." He is an old patron of the Jietan Temple, and the monks are very familiar with him, so he lives in a side courtyard. He brought a cook and cooked his own food. He left us to eat. We have too many people to disturb him like that. After talking for a while, I said goodbye and went back to my room, and slept after eating. The next day, I visited several places of interest in the vicinity. The Yellow Dragon Cave is full of milky stones, the Bliss Cave, the Big Guanyin Cave, the Small Guanyin Cave, the scenery is also good. Everyone had exhausted their fun, so they went into the city.

"For people like us who can't do without working on this square carpet every day, it is really good for the body to be able to sneak into this kind of place with good air and quiet environment to play and change their brains. No wonder Tan Xinpei and Yang Xiaolou came to Jietan Temple when they had time. I don't want to go back for ten days and a half months. Boss Tan has already made a living in the Jietan Temple, ready to be the place where he will bury his bones in the future. When he died, he was buried there. ”