On the evening of June 19, Beijing Renyi issued an obituary: Ren Ming, an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, deputy to the 13th National People's Congress, president of Beijing People's Art Theater, famous director, and director of the Art Committee. Died at 19:29 on June 19 in Beijing at the age of 62.
On September 17, 2021, a media meeting will be held at the Beijing Renyi New Theater, the "Little Renyi Theater" on the third floor of the Beijing International Drama Center, the first performance of the play "Desire Under the Elms". This is not only the first appearance of the refurbished "Little Art Theater", but also a brand-new presentation of this classic work after 14 years. At that time, director Ren Ming, Cong Yu Mingjia, Zheng Yunlong, Li Lin, Luo Xi, Liu Yi, Zeng Yongdai and other main creators were all present and shared the creative process of the rehearsal of this work. The Paper published an article introducing the stories behind the scenes. The old article is republished today to commemorate Ren Ming, director of the Beijing People's Art Theater.

On September 2, 2021, the Beijing International Drama Center was officially opened. On September 24th, the night of Cao Yu's birthday, "Thunderstorm" and "Desire Under the Elm", one in the middle and one outside, two classic dramas, one east and one west, will be held at the "Cao Yu Theater" in the newly completed Beijing International Drama Center at the same time. It was staged at the same time as the "Little Renyi Theater" as the unveiling performance of two new theaters. "The 'Big Theater (Caoyu Theater)' and 'Small Theater' stage classic plays, both Chinese and foreign classics. This arrangement reflects the open, international, and communicative pattern of Beijing International Drama Center. Mr. Cao Yu liked Eugene O'Neill very much, and he mentioned O'Neill's plays many times during his lifetime..." Ren Ming, director of the Beijing People's Art Theatre and director of the play, said in his opening remarks.

Director Ren Ming. Photo of this article by Li Chunguang

Ren Ming pointed out in his speech, "This time we invited Zheng Yunlong, a young actor outside the hospital, to join us, and he is also very happy to come to perform. Since this year, actors Fang Xu and Li Youbin have appeared on the stage as actors outside the hospital. The stage of art. Going forward, Chen Daoming, Wang Jinsong and other outstanding actors have also come to Renyi to perform with our own actors. This shows that Renyi is not only in Beijing, but also open. Whether it is our performances, The cast is also diverse."

Director Ren Ming (first from the right) is rehearsing for the actors

"Let's find the theater personality together"
"Desire Under the Elms" is Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece, known as "the first great American tragedy", and its classic status is well-known at home and abroad, and is well-known in the world theater. In 2007, the play was staged in the "Little Renyi Theater" on the south side of the Capital Theater. This time, the rehearsal with a new lineup is not only an artistic innovation, but also reflects Renyi's positioning of the new theater and its appreciation for the classics. Relentless pursuit. "By choosing "Desire Under the Elm" as the first performance of the 'Little Renyi Theater', we hope to open the theater with a classic. Eugene O'Neill is a world-class drama master, and Renyi, as a classic theater, should There is a place for him." Ren Ming said.

"Desire under the Elms" 2007 edition, Zheng Tianwei and Wang Lei play Abby and Iben

Audiences who are familiar with Beijing People’s Art know that small theater performances have always been a major feature here: in 1982, with the avant-garde drama “Absolute Signal” directed by Lin Zhaohua, the Beijing People’s Art Experimental Theater on the third floor of the Capital Theater was staged. Gradually entered the world's field of vision; in 1995, with the performance of "Love", "Chess Man" and other plays, the "small theater" before Beijing Renyi (closed for renovation a few years ago) opened its doors to welcome guests. In September 2021, with the official opening of the Beijing International Drama Center, the long-awaited "Small Theater" will return. It is the blessing of the Chinese drama industry and the blessing of the vast number of drama lovers. At the press conference, Ren Ming told The Paper, "These three theaters are very spiritual, just like three old friends. I am very honored to have performed in all three theaters." He said with emotion, "Our previous 'little theater' was rebuilt from a canteen, like an abandoned workshop, with the unique feel of a factory in the 798 Art District. When it rained heavily, the roof would even leak. (The roof) is made of iron, and when it rains, Tick tock, the audience may not be able to hear the lines when they sit inside... The interior space is irregular, but as soon as you enter, the feeling is simple, but full of the spirit of exploration, as if there are infinite possibilities. For creators It seems that you can experiment with whatever idea you have. The first play that was staged there was "Love" starring He Bing (Reporter's Note: The play was directed by Ren Ming)."

New version of "Desire under the Elm" stills

"The Human Arts Experimental Theater is more crowded, the upper part of the space is square, more compressed and more regular, but it is very 'clustered', and the audience can sit on three sides of the stage to watch the play. It is like a black box, giving people a very mysterious feeling, It is suitable for performing more magical dramas. After 'SARS' in 2003, I directed Mr. Zou Jingzhi's "I Love Peach Blossom" there, which was starring Xu Ang and Yu Zhen." Ren Ming recalled.

The newly opened Beijing Renyi Theater.

When it comes to the current "small theater", Ren Ming humbly said that he feels as fresh as the audience, "The previous edition of "Desire Under the Elm" has twice the stage space as here. Performing in today's "small theater", The stage will be very close to the audience, and the two are almost one. The actors have never performed here before, and they all feel that this time they are almost going to 'close' the audience (laughs). In fact, each theater has its own personality, and I am still exploring it, so everyone can find it together."

New version of "Desire under the Elm" stills

"This play is about desire, but also about human nature"
As a long-running world famous drama, the profound theme and dramatic impact of "Desire Under the Elm" shocked both the creator and the audience. "It is unique in terms of the strength of the drama, the height of the play and the intensity of the performance." Director Ren Ming and Cong Cong introduced. One is the director of the 2007 version, and the other is the actor of the 2007 version (at that time, Conglin played Simon in the play), Ren Ming and Conglin co-directed this time, emphasizing the in-depth excavation of this work, "This is a It is a new understanding of profoundness. Human nature is eternal, and this play is about desire, but also human nature. How people face desire, and how to solve the relationship with desire, is the reality that we are now performing this work. The meaning is also the place that can resonate with the current audience." From the reorganization of the script to the new stage expression, the new version of "Desire Under the Elm" has a quiet undercurrent of complex emotions under the fierce contradictions and conflicts. "Renyi's attitude towards outstanding talents is always open. This time, our actor team includes a group of powerful young actors from Beijing Renyi such as Yu Mingjia and Li Lin. Excellent young actor Zheng Yunlong joined in the creation and formed a very radiant actor team. They are all very talented, and the rehearsal moved me and even made me cry." Director Ren Ming introduced, rehearsing the work , the biggest innovation lies not in the art form, but in stimulating the creative talents of the actors, allowing them to bloom with the greatest creativity on the stage.

Zheng Yunlong (front) plays Iben, and Yu Mingjia (back) plays Abby.

Yu Mingjia, who plays the heroine Aibi, has changed from the familiar Cai Wenji in recent years, to the shaping of the male character in the script reading "Skin Face", to this woman with complex human nature and abundant emotions in this play. Let the audience see her performance strength in interpreting different types of roles, "The character in my heart is not a good person or a bad person, she is complex and rich, and she has to perform every inner level of her. There are many passionate scenes in this play, But the actor can't fall into the emotions, but find expressions in the emotions, walk with the audience, and perform the process bit by bit. In the end, the audience will not be scrutinizing her after watching her, but will be moved, so as to explore her and understand her. She." Zheng Yunlong, who co-starred with Renyi for the first time in the lead actor Iben, admitted that he has always been yearning for Renyi's stage, "Beijing Renyi is a benchmark in the industry, and I am very happy and honored to be able to perform here. This classic and the character of Ibn are both difficult. There are a lot of quarrels and outbursts in the play. It is necessary to divide the levels and tap out the inner energy and emotion. I put a lot of effort into building the characters with my heart. "Zhen Zheng In Yunlong's view, the challenge of classics is that it can dig too many things. "Even if the play is skilled, you will still find new things in the script. In this creative process, the actors have a lot of space, and they have a lot of room to work with the director and the director. In the cooperation of the opponent actors, we trust each other, so we have a tacit understanding on the stage."

Group photo of the main creator