Huayu: Starting from managing the Mahua FunAge Theater Troupe

Leaders and important guests sat on a row of chairs temporarily added to the orchestra pit, which was closer to the stage than the first row.

The other guests were seated in the middle and back rows.

Zhao Benshan naturally sat in the front row.

Many spectators behind him greeted him, and Zhao Benshan smiled and waved back politely.

Shen Feiyang and several other leaders who arrived late took their seats in the places marked with their corresponding names.

Li Xiaolu found her place and sat down with the other members of the "Struggle" crew.

The main cast of "Struggle" have not yet met.

Li Xiaolu greeted Tian Youliang, whom she had met before, and then sat down.

Sitting to one side, Wen Zhang and Zhu Yuchen glanced at the youngest Golden Horse Best Actress in history.

Li Xiaolu's gaze fell ahead.

She glanced at the host announcing the program on stage, and then casually glanced at Shen Feiyang's seat.

The host finished introducing the program.

The performance officially began.

Just like "Crazy Stone", the stage play version of "Lost in Thailand" simply shares the same story framework as the film version.

Shen Teng and his writing team reinterpreted the story within its framework, adding new humor, artistic value, and new plot twists.

Stage plays and movies are two different forms of presentation, so their content will naturally differ.

Shen Feiyang is quite satisfied with this version.

It's very difficult for Shen Teng and his team to write good scripts on their own, but they have a very good method for creating derivative works based on good stories.

This is a common problem among most comedians in China: they are highly skilled in comedic techniques, but lack the spark of inspiration that comes with a moment of brilliance, so they cannot become masters and can only be described as outstanding craftsmen.

Shen Feiyang plays the role of the one who comes up with the "bright idea" in the Happy Twist system.

With him around, everyone doesn't need to find direction; they just need to execute.

This model, to put it bluntly, is still about cultivating comedy craftsmen.

Shen Feiyang had no intention of cultivating masters; comedy masters are never cultivated.

On stage, as the story unfolded, the more than two thousand audience members were already immersed in the story of "Lost in Thailand".

The core storyline remains unchanged.

Boss Li Chenggong returned to his hometown for the Spring Festival and encountered Niu Geng, a migrant worker who was collecting debts, on his journey.

The two people are from completely different backgrounds, yet fate has brought them together. Their plane returns to its origin, their train stops running, their long-distance bus breaks down, their wallets are stolen, and they end up with only one bed left in their hotel.

Li Chenggong went from initial disdain and impatience to being forced to accept it, and then the two shared hardships on a snowy night, eventually discovering that the "creditor" Niu Geng had been chasing was actually his company's project.

After the farce, Li Chenggong not only helped Niu Geng solve his problem, but also gained a clearer understanding of himself on the journey home.

Zhao Benshan crossed his arms, stroked his chin, and watched while laughing.

Ning Hao, who was sitting on the side, was also amused by the jokes created by Shen Teng and others through language, skills and props.

He was also sitting in the same row as Zhao Benshan and the other leaders.

With the stage play version of "Crazy Stone" selling so much at the box office, Ning Hao, as the original author, naturally deserves to sit in this row.

The laughter from the audience was almost constant.

Many people have never seen the American film "Losers" which has a similar theme and storyline to "Lost in Thailand," let alone a comedy about the Spring Festival travel rush.

Audiences who came to see something new felt that it was worth the ticket price.

The audience thoroughly enjoyed the several uplifting moments in the story.

The female con artist encountered on the road, the chorus of "Whether you're rich or poor, go home for the New Year," and the story's ultimate uplifting theme of returning to family...

The audience's emotions subsided.

The performance has ended.

The lights in the entire venue came on.

Shen Teng and the others took their bows.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh~

The audience erupted in applause.

Zhao Benshan clapped his hands as he looked at Shen Teng on the stage, his eyes full of admiration.

Although Zhao's troupe doesn't produce stage plays, it doesn't stop Zhao Benshan from appreciating Shen Teng's stage performance skills.

Only with this level of skill can one stand alone and carry a sketch comedy performance.

What Zhao's troupe is lacking now is talent who can take over his sketch comedy career.

ah~

Zhao Benshan sighed inwardly.

Ning Hao clapped his hands, thinking to himself that this story framework was perfect for being adapted into a movie.

It's just somewhat similar to an American movie.

Ning Hao pondered for a moment.

harm.

Borrowing is not plagiarism.

Sitting at the back of the audience, Li Xiaolu was watching a stage comedy for the first time. She didn't expect it to be so interesting. Her unhappiness caused by arguing with someone had vanished.

Shen Teng and others interacted with the audience for about half an hour, and invited audience members, He Jiong, Ning Hao, Zhao Benshan and others to the stage to briefly share their thoughts after watching the show.

Zhao Benshan took the microphone, paused for a moment, and then spoke.

"I watched it all night, and it was really good. To be honest, I didn't have high expectations before I came, wondering what a young theater troupe could possibly come up with. But I sat here for two hours and laughed non-stop."

Zhao Benshan glanced at Shen Teng and praised, "Shen Teng has an excellent sense of rhythm and a precise grasp of the nuances. He can carry a two-hour-plus drama without tiring the audience; not everyone has that skill."

Some people in the audience applauded.

Zhao Benshan then praised, "To be honest, Shen Teng is more than capable of performing a skit of ten or more minutes on the Spring Festival Gala stage. It would even be a waste."

As soon as he said that, laughter and applause mingled together from the audience.

Zhao Benshan laughed as well: "But then again, the Spring Festival Gala stage doesn't care if you have talent. It cares if your script is good enough, if the directors think your jokes are appropriate, and if your work has any 'educational value'."

He said with a hint of sarcasm, "That's why I say, talented people should perform in theaters. The audience pays to see you; if you perform well, the audience laughs; if you perform poorly, the audience criticizes you. Simple, direct, and good."

The audience erupted in laughter again.

Zhao Benshan's smile faded: "I was thinking backstage just now, it's truly remarkable that young people like Shen Teng and Shen Feiyang can produce something like this at such a young age. At my age, I was still performing Errenzhuan in the countryside, and I never even dared to dream of venturing into a big city. I hope Shen Teng continues to thrive, and I hope Shen Feiyang and Happy Twist continue to do well, bringing great shows and rare joy to people all over the country."

"Alright, that's enough of everyone's time." Zhao Benshan handed the microphone back.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh~

Another round of applause erupted from the audience.

……

The performance has ended.

The audience left.

The guests also walked outside.

The leaders of the Women's Federation chatted with Zhao Benshan, hoping that Zhao's troupe could join the Baby Project, and Zhao Benshan readily agreed.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing for him.

Zhao Benshan hopes to promote green Errenzhuan (a traditional folk art form) nationwide and has in-depth cooperation with the Women's Federation, which would naturally benefit the national tour.

Zhao Benshan can probably understand why the Women's Federation is making every effort to promote this matter and build up various publicity platforms.

Zhao Benshan looked at Shen Feiyang walking with Ning Hao and muttered to himself, "This kid is pretty shrewd."

Shen Feiyang and Ning Hao chatted and agreed to meet at the company at 10 a.m. the next morning to discuss the film adaptation of "Crazy Stone".

Ning Hao and his girlfriend Xing Aina left.

Shen Feiyang and Zhao Benshan agreed to discuss "Country Love" on a weekday next week, and watched Zhao Benshan leave.

After seeing off the leaders and most of the guests.

Tian Youliang then introduced Wen Zhang, Zhu Yuchen, and Li Xiaolu to Shen Feiyang.

The three of them shook hands with Shen Feiyang with great respect.

Shen Feiyang raised his hand and glanced at his watch: "Do you guys have some time right now? Let me treat you to a late-night snack."

Wen Zhang was the first to answer: "I have time! I specifically took leave to see the performance, so I don't need to go back to school tonight."

What are you implying, kid?

Shen Feiyang felt something was off.

"I'm free," Zhu Yuchen replied simply.

Li Xiaolu replied, "I'm free too."

"Alright, let's go."

Shen Feiyang took out his phone, sent a text message to Yu Kai who was still in the room, and left with the others.