A secret guest

Upon hearing the explanation from his left side, Hugo finally realized that he had been too engrossed and had forgotten about the division between the first and second halves. This was also the time for stage set changes and a brief rest for the actors.

Hugo turned his head to the left and smiled in gratitude. It was then that he realized the theater lights were still not fully illuminated, and everything appeared dim and unclear. So he simply nodded to express his thanks. The person sitting next to him also nodded slightly, acknowledging the gesture, but it was clear that he had no intention of further communication.

Subconsciously, Hugo's gaze lingered on the profiles of several people to his left. This group had arrived late, and although it hadn't caused much disturbance, it was impolite to be late for a Broadway show. Hugo became more attentive to them.

Sitting to Hugo's left was a tall and muscular man, leaning back in his chair. Despite the dim lighting, one could vaguely make out the contours of his robust muscles. However, Hugo strongly suspected that the man was asleep as he showed no signs of movement.

Next to him was a relatively slender man, whose silhouette was two sizes smaller, almost completely obscured by the big man. It was likely that he was the one who had spoken to Hugo earlier, but Hugo couldn't see him clearly. He could only make out the slightly sharp tip of his nose, jutting out abruptly in the darkness, distorting the hazy shadow into a cold shape.

Could this person be a special guest invited by Katharine? Otherwise, why would they have VIP seats and arrive late, accompanied by a large group of people? Besides this reason, Hugo found it difficult to come up with a better explanation.

As if sensing Hugo's gaze, the man moved back and disappeared completely into the shadow cast by the big man. Hugo realized that he had been a bit intrusive, so he quickly averted his gaze and turned his attention back to the heavy stage curtain.

"Hugo, did you see Katharine's performance just now? Wasn't it amazing?" Joseph gently tugged on Hugo's right arm and lowered his voice. Although it was the intermission, everyone spoke in hushed tones, and the faint murmurs were drowned in the vague darkness.

Hugo nodded emphatically. "Of course, you forget that I've been here the whole time." He could sense the excitement hidden in Joseph's words. Being able to watch such top-notch actors up close was truly awe-inspiring. "Did you notice? Katharine's presence throughout the entire performance effortlessly propelled the plot forward and controlled every situation... I think that's what they call actor's charisma."

Hugo's perspective on the performance differed slightly from Joseph's. He focused more on observing the interactions and connections between the actors on stage. Each actor's performance had distinct characteristics, and only when all the actors' performances merged seamlessly together could they deliver an exceptionally brilliant theatrical experience. Any flaw in any aspect could result in a complete failure.

This reminded Hugo of the tradition of British actors. Although the center of the world's film industry is in Hollywood, USA, it has always been believed that American films represent commerce, while European films represent art. Although this viewpoint has changed somewhat after the second decade of the 21st century, the general pattern remains the same. Within the framework of European cinema, the solid acting skills of actors are evident, which enables European actors to achieve significant success when they enter Hollywood.

Among them, British actors are a particularly special presence. It has been jokingly said that there is a path that no one can avoid if British actors want to achieve success. Firstly, they must have a background in drama school, which means having a professional education. Secondly, they must undergo the influence of stage plays in London's West End. London's West End, alongside Broadway, is considered one of the world's two major theatrical centers. In other words, actors must accumulate enough performing experience. Thirdly, they must be willing to abandon their own image and take on unconventional roles, such as playing characters who are homosexual, deviant, or even murderers. After going through all of this, British actors can be considered to have obtained the qualifications of a "journeyman".

Indeed, whether it is a "pretty boy" actor like Orlando Bloom, or a top-notch veteran actor like Maggie Smith, who has appeared in the "Harry Potter" series and "Downton Abbey", they have all grown step by step. Even child actors who achieve immediate success, like those in the "Harry Potter" series, will still go through the necessary steps of British actors when they grow up, completing the ancient, stubborn, yet cautious tradition of British acting.

The reason why stage plays are placed in such an important position is that they serve as a test for an actor's on-the-spot response, emotional exaggeration and delicacy, interaction with co-actors, communication with the audience, and the power of performance. An excellent stage actor possesses all the qualities required to be an outstanding film actor, but an excellent film actor does not necessarily receive corresponding recognition in stage plays.

Katharine Hepburn, the legendary actress, not only possessed spirituality and charisma in her performances, but also exhibited a performance temperament accumulated over many years on Broadway. Hugo just experienced this so-called temperament firsthand. Katharine's every move can capture the audience's attention and make people firmly believe that this is how the character should be portrayed. This innate performance temperament is an ultimate enjoyment for the audience and a spiritual impact and baptism for fellow actors.

No wonder British actors must withstand the test of stage plays, and no wonder so many actors enjoy going to Broadway to watch performances, because it is not only a form of enjoyment but also a form of learning.

Of course, on the same stage, if an actor's acting skills are not solid enough, flaws can easily be exposed. In the presence of Katharine's powerful aura, the solid foundation of other actors on the same stage allows them to not shine brightly but also not be overshadowed. However, Christopher Reeve particularly caught Hugo's attention.

This reminded Hugo of the comments about Christopher. Actually, Christopher was a very talented actor. He also had a professional acting background and struggled in Broadway plays for several years, solidifying his foundation in acting. It was just that a role like "Superman" made him famous worldwide, and people focused on his handsome appearance, overlooking his acting abilities. This "pretty boy" image followed him throughout his life until his passing.

The reason why Christopher, after achieving great acclaim relying on "Superman", still returned to the Broadway stage to perform in an obscure play alongside Katharine was probably that he always pursued acting skills.

Hugo inexplicably remembered Ron's plans for Lancaster's acting skills. Although he didn't like Ron, he couldn't deny Ron's professionalism. Ron had constructed a preliminary path for Lancaster to rely on acting skills to steadily make progress. This allowed Hugo to quickly gain recognition in acting after starring in "Scent of a Woman" and "A Few Good Men". Because of his previous experiences, otherwise people would still perceive Hugo as just a pretty face, similar to how they treated Christopher. After all, Hugo had intense scenes with two powerful award-winning actors in these two movies.

Hugo's mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, and he shared them sporadically with Joseph. Joseph also disliked Ron, but he acknowledged Hugo's thoughts, saying, "Perhaps Ron is a jerk, but he is indeed capable in his role as a manager." This was also the reason why Tracey and Ron became even stronger opponents, because they had real talent.

"Cough... cough..." A low cough came from Hugo's left side. Both Hugo and Joseph instinctively looked over, and Hugo saw the mysterious guest with the pointed nose pointing towards the stage. When Hugo turned his head, he noticed the faint swaying of the stage curtain. It seemed that there wasn't much time left until the performance started.

Hugo knew that the other person was definitely reminding him not to continue talking. It was indeed impolite to disturb others while watching a play. Although Hugo and Joseph's conversation was quiet and fragmented, Hugo realized that he had been too excited earlier and had also disturbed others. So he quickly lowered his head and said "sorry" to the mysterious guest, then quietly sat down with Joseph, waiting for the second half to begin.

In fact, there was still some time before the start of the second half. The buzzing sounds in the venue continued for a while, then gradually subsided. After waiting for another two minutes or so, the curtain slowly rose, signaling the start of the second half.

The second half of the story gradually departed from the light-heartedness of the first half. Katharine's character, Mrs. Basil, began contemplating the philosophical question of "whether God truly exists". This made the story more intricate, conveying more messages to the audience. Everyone fell silent and became deeply engrossed in the ongoing dialogue, lost in deep contemplation.

Hugo was no exception. However, he was also observing how the actors' performance on stage changed with the increasing burden. For Hugo, a self-taught actor, continuous learning and effort were his only means of progress. Being able to witness Katharine, Christopher, and others perform on the Broadway stage at such close proximity was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Hugo did not want to miss. So, Hugo watched attentively, supporting his cheek with his hand, almost fixated on the stage, pouring all his thoughts into the performance.

The entire audience sank into a state of focused silence, even their breathing becoming quieter, afraid that any movement or sound would interrupt the captivating performance on stage. However, at this moment, a flash suddenly lit up on the left side of the first floor. Although it was just a quick flash, it still prompted murmurs of disapproval from many audience members. Clearly, they were very unhappy with the abrupt interruption caused by the flash.

No one was satisfied with such a situation occurring.