916 The light of the sword and the shadow of the sword
It was only two o'clock in the afternoon, but the bustling scene at the entrance of the Almeida Theater early and early heightened expectations. The noisy and noisy crowds of people outlined a unique corner of London's West End; but in the eyes of the upper class, there was nothing There is style to speak of.
Business and art are always two contradictory entities; but in reality, every artist is pursuing the integration of the two. For the nobles, they would rather starve to death than lower their taste and dignity. , so naturally I hate such a scene..
After the death of Princess Diana, the Queen of England has always refused to meet the public, and even more refused to show her vulnerability in public; because in the Queen's mind, this is a family matter and also a scandal. However, this move of the Queen of England has been met with national concern. Public opposition and protests led to some even proposing to abolish the royal family. In the end, the Queen had to compromise and come forward..
This real incident was later adapted into the movie "The Queen". Although the script of the movie has a serious tendency to defend itself entirely from the standpoint of the royal family, completely avoiding the irreconcilable conflict between the Queen and Princess Diana; but it is undeniable that this It really shows the attitude of the British aristocrats.
Regarding the scene at the Almeida Theater. The situation is different, but the reason is the same.
Elf had a decent smile on her face, "Fortunately, my father and mother were not present..”
Without saying much, Arthur understood. For the young people of Elf and Arthur's generation, they have accepted the changes of the times, just like the Queen finally came forward, showing her vulnerability and mourning in front of the people. ; But for the middle-aged people of George and Elizabeth's generation, and even the older generation, they still refuse to compromise..
Arthur raised his eyebrows and muttered, "I'm looking forward to their attendance even more. The scene will be wonderful." He could just sit back and watch, looking forward to the show. But then, Arthur felt the gaze from Elf, He closed his mouth, pretending that nothing happened, stretched out his left arm, let Elf take it, and took steps as a flower protector..
After walking through the crowd and entering the theater, the waiting hall on the first floor was full of flowers and lively. Audiences in costumes held champagne in their hands, pretending to be VIPs of high society, as if they were attending a Christmas party; but, Arthur He and Elf didn't stop, they headed straight towards the second floor and climbed up the stairs..
The scarlet carpet, dark yellow oak walls, creamy yellow halo, and occasional creaking wooden boards under your feet tell the history and story of this theater. After reaching the second floor, avoid the left side In the crowded audience hall, I walked towards the heavy wooden door on the right and showed my invitation letter to the waiter at the door before I was able to enter..
Entering the VIP room, a noble and elegant warm-up party appeared in front of you. The restless sounds and crowded crowds were left behind. The clothes were fragrant, elegant and decent, and people drank and drank. The irritability of early summer faded away, leaving behind Feeling the warmth of spring and summer socializing, my mood gradually calmed down..
It was Andre who walked up to him. His handsome face was filled with a charming smile, and he wore a dark blue suit that reflected his upright and elegant temperament. "Hey, I've finally waited for you. I just said I'm thinking, should I give Arthur a call so that you don't have to run away?.”
Faced with such a naive joke, Elf didn't care at all, her smile barely changed, and she changed the subject, "I didn't know that you were actually the doorman today.？”
A touch of ridicule, a touch of sarcasm, a touch of sharpness, and the counterattack was completed in an understatement without breaking the face. Elf's etiquette in social situations was still perfect; but Andre didn't buy it..
“If I hadn't been the doorman, it's still unknown whether the show could have been staged today. What do you think? "Andre's edges and corners were so clear, and he had no hidden intention at all, so he stabbed him with all his strength..
Arthur, who was standing by and watching, couldn't help but cry out in pain deep in his heart, but Elf didn't change her expression, and her calm smile seemed to be looking at a child who was having a tantrum..
Andre curled his lips, not hiding his disgusted expression, "Elf, you are always so boring. God, how on earth did the Hall family have a freak like Renly." Freak, used here. Full of praise, Andre glanced at Arthur and said, "You are the same..”
Same, same as who? And Elf? Still with Renly？
Arthur lightly shrugged, showing a look of "I'm also very helpless, I'm also very pitiful, and I'm also very innocent" to express his response..
Andre ignored him directly and was about to leave; but Elf did not surrender, but interrupted Andre's words and actions with a smile, "As the doorman, aren't you going to introduce us to tonight's event?" Show? Let's get ready and don't miss the excitement tonight..”
“I believe that you are more prepared than I am." Andre, however, did not follow the aristocratic social etiquette at all, and blocked back, "Elf, please, you are the most enthusiastic of all the people I know. Dramatic; don't tell me you didn't do any research for tonight's play？”
Andre's provocation carries a bohemian and uninhibited spontaneity. Every movement, every look, and every detail breaks the rules of the aristocracy, but it also carries an innate temperament. "A brief summary, A group of actors whose names have never been heard of, starring in a familiar play, that's all.”
Elf was not angry, but instead chuckled, "So you guys are aware of this." A touch of sarcasm and ridicule was revealed, but then she restrained herself, "However, experimental plays are always like this, and bold decisions are required. And an arrogant attempt. No matter what the result is, it is always worthy of recognition..”
The subtext is: tonight's show is doomed to fail..
Without warning, Andre burst out laughing. Such an outrageous and inexplicable reaction left Elf's words stuck in the air, and for a moment she didn't know how to continue..
However, it was not the first day that Elf met Andre, so she did not panic; on the contrary, Arthur, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but laugh, and then listened to Andre explain, "Renly said, you will definitely think so. .God, your actions and words are so predictable..”
Arthur lowered his head, otherwise he would be unable to suppress his smile..
Elf was still calm, with no flaw in the perfect smile on her lips, "Daisy Ridley, Joe Alvin, Tom Holland, Xia harlotte-kennedy, karis-jak, ezra-miller）.”
One by one, the names were revealed in a smooth London accent. Then, Elf paused for a moment, and the curvature of the corners of her mouth rose, "None of the names were heard of; and they were all in their twenties. A child of 20 years old." Elf chuckled softly, "Ha", her perfect manners were impeccable, "Is what we are watching tonight the high school version of 'Les Misérables'?？”
Andre spread his hands indifferently, "At least now the unique Elf Hall has remembered these names. This is a beginning." That frank and relaxed gesture made Elf's irony It fell on cotton, and it's not the end yet.
“I still have things to deal with, so I won’t entertain you. I think you don’t need my introduction today, and I promise you won’t be bored.” Andre didn’t stay too much, or even be too polite. Lift your feet and prepare to leave.
Standing under the big tree of "Duke Hamilton", Andre has been used to being wanton since he was a child. He has never really cared about the so-called aristocratic etiquette, and no one can restrain him. Of course, he is a smart man. On occasions where rules are really needed, his etiquette is absolutely faultless; privately, he has a good relationship with Prince Harry.
Facing the two representatives of the Hall family, Andre had no intention of giving any face. In the Hall family, except for Renly, Andre did not buy anyone else. Edith could barely count half of them..
“I hope you will enjoy today's play." Andre said meaningfully, with a hint of pride in his eyes. Before leaving, he added, "If you have special requirements for drinks, I suggest you ask Eton - Dormer and Matthew Dunlop, they are today's public relations." After saying that, Andre blinked and turned and left with brisk steps..
Then, Elf and Arthur were exposed to everyone.
There is a seemingly invisible look, a meaningful smile, and an inadvertent look... They are everywhere, quietly surrounding Elf and Arthur..
It's not the kind of direct sight or greeting, but through a thin layer of fog, flickering in and out, flickering in and out. It seems that you can't feel any unnecessary emotions, but there is gloating and discussion below the surface. There is a surging undercurrent, and the invisible lights and shadows of swords make people almost suffocated..
The Almeida Theater tonight is like a dragon's den and a tiger's den. The noise on the first floor comes from the chatter of the civilian audience; the silence on the second floor comes from the upper class spectators watching the show. The collision of turbulence and silence is like a whirlpool, leaving nothing to Al. Fu and Arthur left too much leeway.
As Andre said, Elf and Arthur will never be boring, they are the focus of the audience. Strictly speaking, compared with the party in front of them, the dragon's pool and the tiger's den seem to have become cute..
Is this the scene Renly expected? Or is this Renly's counterattack after George and Elizabeth forced him to the point of desperation?？
“Let's go." Invisibly, Elf raised her chin slightly, and her delicate face burst out with a determined and powerful light. In a daze, a trace of Renly's charm could be caught..
Elf took Arthur's arm and chose to take the initiative..
The tense atmosphere is slowly flowing in the Almeida Theater, not just in the waiting hall on the first floor, not just in the VIP room on the second floor; at the same time, the tense atmosphere is also felt backstage, with the sound of the sliding hourglass of time. It's becoming clearer and clearer, and the air seems ready to ignite at any time.
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