Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty Six

The rehearsal began, which relieved Julia's distress.Michael's revival of the repertoire while she was abroad was neither very successful nor too bad, but he was reluctant to close the theater and played it until The Times was ready.Because he himself has to perform two matinees a week, and the weather is hot, he decided that rehearsals should not be too tight.There was still a month before them. Although Julia has been on stage for so many years, she has never lost the excitement she feels during rehearsals, and this first rehearsal still made her heart almost jump out of her mouth.This is the beginning of a new adventure.At that time, she felt that she was not a heroine, she felt excited and eager, as if she was a hairy girl playing a small role for the first time.Yet at the same time she felt joyful in her own strength.She once again had the opportunity to use these powers.

She came on stage at eleven o'clock.The actors stood there in twos and threes idly.She kissed and shook hands with entertainers she knew, and Michael politely introduced her to others she didn't know.She warmly greeted Avis.Creighton.She told her how pretty she was, and how she liked her hat; and that she had bought her some pretty dresses in Paris. Have you seen Tom lately?she asked. No, I haven't seen it.He went on vacation. Oh, is it?He's a nice lad, isn't he? very good. The two women stared into each other's eyes and smiled.Julia watched Avis as she spoke, and listened to the tone of her voice.She sneered.She guessed right.Avis is one of those actresses who thinks she's in control after just one rehearsal.She didn't yet know what was going to happen to her.Julia no longer cared about Tom, but she had a bill to settle with Avis that she would not forget.The bitch!

This play is a modern rendition of Mrs. Tangarry's Second String (Note: The masterpiece of the British playwright Pinnero. It is a serious problem play.), but due to the changing customs of this generation, it has been changed from comedy to Angle to deal with.Several of the old characters are still introduced in the new script, Aubrey.Tangari, now a very old man, appears in the second act.Paula (Note: Tan Gerry's second wife.) After his death, he married for the third time.Mrs. Cotterleon (Note: Tanglei's third wife.) was originally determined to make up for him for the misfortunes he suffered with his second wife, but in the current script she has become a Grumpy, arrogant old lady.His daughters Erin and Hugh.Adair (note: had an affair with Paula.) agrees to put the past aside, as Paula's tragic death seems to have erased memories of the extramarital relationship he committed; so the two marry.He's a retired brigadier now, playing golf, and bemoaning the fall of the British Empire. God, man, if I could, I'd shoot all those damn socialists lined up at the foot of the wall; and Eileen Well, at this time, she was already a middle-aged woman, and after the restrained youth, she became a modern woman who is enthusiastic, unrestrained and outspoken.

The character played by Michael is named Robert.Humphreys, like Aubrey in Pinnero's play, was a widower with an only daughter; he had been consul in China for many years, and after saving some money to retire, he settled in a house bequeathed to him by one of his cousins. in a house not far from where the Tangari family still lived.His daughter Ona (whom Avis Crichton had hired to play the role) is studying medicine and is planning to practice in India one day.After so many years abroad, he lived alone in London and had no friends, but he hooked up with a famous prostitute named Mrs. Marton.Mrs. Marton is of the same class as Paula, but she is not as single-minded as Paula; she does business in Cannes during the summer and winter, and lives in an apartment on Albemarle Street in between, receiving A group of officers of the British Royal Forces.She was good at bridge and even better at golf.This role is very suitable for Julia to play.

The playwright followed closely the clues of the old script.Ona prophesied to her father that she would give up her medical studies and hope to live with him until she married, since she had just been engaged to Erin's son, a Guardsman.Robert.Embarrassed, Humphreys revealed to her his intention to marry Mrs. Marton.When Ona heard the news, she remained calm. Of course you know she's a bitch, don't you?she said indifferently. Embarrassed, he spoke of her unfortunate past and tried to make amends for what she had endured in the past. Oh, don't talk such nonsense, she replied, it would be a great thing if you could do it.

Eileen's son had been one of Mrs. Marton's innumerable lovers, just as Eileen's husband had been Paula.Like one of Tangri's lovers.When RobertWhen Humphreys brings his new wife to his country home, the truth is revealed, and they decide they must tell Ona about it.To their astonishment, Ona was quite unmoved.She already knew. I was so happy when I found out the truth of it, and she said to her stepmother, you know, honey, you can tell me if he's good in bed. This is by Avis.One of Creighton's finest, the scene lasts ten minutes, and Michael is aware of its effect and importance from the very beginning.Goves's impassive, flat beauty was precisely what he considered most expressive on the occasion.After five or six rehearsals, however, he began to feel that this was all that was good about her.He discussed it carefully with Julia.

What do you think of Avis's performance? Not sure yet. I'm not very happy with her.You said she could act.I can't see any signs yet. This is a solid role.There was no way she could go wrong playing it. You know as well as I do that there are no unshakeable characters.No matter how good the role is, you need to try your best to play it well.I'm not sure, maybe it's better to fire her and find someone else. It's not that easy.I think you should give her a chance. How clumsy she was, the gestures she made meant nothing. Julia thought for a moment.She had reason to want to keep Avis on the set.She knew her well enough to be sure that if she was dismissed she would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her.He loves her and will believe every word she says.He might even think that Julia insulted Avis in revenge for him abandoning her.No, no, she must stay.She had to play the part and make a fool of her; and Tom had to see with his own eyes what a poor actress she was.They both thought the play would catapult her to fame.Two idiots.This drama will kill her.

You know how clever you are, Michael, and I'm sure you can teach her if you're willing to work a little. But that's the problem, she doesn't seem to be able to accept guidance.I carefully taught her how to say a certain line, and she always said it in her own way.You can't believe it, but sometimes I can't help thinking that she must be under the illusion that she knows better than me. You make her so nervous.When you taught her what to do, she became flustered and overwhelmed. God, no one is easier to live with than me.I never even said a word to her. Julia smiled kindly at him.

Do you still want to pretend that you really don't know what's wrong with her? I don't know, what's the problem? He looked at her blankly. Stop pretending, my dear.Didn't you notice that she was madly in love with you? love me?But I always think she and Tom are actually engaged.You are talking nonsense.You're always dreaming like this. But it's very obvious.After all, she's not the first person to be fascinated by your bewitching beauty, and I don't think she'll be the last. God knows, I don't want to tear poor Tom down. It's not your fault, is it?

So, what do you want me to do about this? Well, I think you should be nice to her.She's young, you know, the poor little thing.All she needs is someone to help her.If you help her alone a few times and work with her on that character's lines from start to finish, I'm sure you'll do wonders.Why don't you take her out to dinner another day and have a talk with her? She saw the twinkle in Michael's eyes as he considered her suggestion, saw the smile on his lips. Of course the most important thing is that we try our best to play the trick, he said. I know it's going to tire you out, but honestly, I think it's worth it for the show.

You know I never want to do anything to upset you, Julia.I mean, I'd rather fire that girl and find another one to replace her. I think that would be a big mistake.I am convinced that if you put a certain amount of effort into her, she can play very well. He paced up and down the room once or twice.He seemed to be musing over the issue from every angle. Yeah, I guess it's my job to give every actor in my cast the best performance possible.Every joint, you have to find the best way to handle it. He stuck out his chin and retracted his stomach.He straightened his back.Julia understood Avis.Creighton was about to keep the part, so he called her aside during rehearsal the next day and had a long talk with her.She knew what he was talking about from his attitude at a glance, she watched them from the corners of her eyes, and after a while she saw Avis nodding and smiling.He asked her to have lunch with him.Julia continued to think about her role with pride.