Even if it looks magical, Zheng Yunlong: A passionate actor always has his own light
"One morning when I was on the road, one lazy afternoon, or even just a normal day... One day many years later, a bullet hit me right between my eyebrows, and I sighed, 'Ah, that moment was my magic moment.'" This is how the lead actor Zheng Yunlong described his feelings when participating in the stage play "Magic Moment". From July 25 to July 28, the stage play "Magic Moment" premiered at the Shanghai Grand Theater. On June 26, the box office of the first two performances in Shanghai exceeded 1 million yuan one hour after the ticket sales.
The stage play "Magic Moment" is adapted from the classic work of Japanese comedy master Koki Mitani. It tells the story of a hotel manager named Noboru Bingo who has an affair with the lover of the town's gangster boss, President Tenshio, but the affair is exposed. In order to survive, Noboru Bingo lies that he can bring back the legendary killer that President Tenshio has been looking for, but when the deadline comes, he finds nothing. At the critical moment, Noboru Bingo accidentally meets the third-rate actor Murata Daiki on the set, so he pretends to be a director and invites Murata Daiki to star in his film, which pushes the situation to a direction that no one expected.
The main creative team of "Magic Hour" is strong. Koki Mitani has written and directed TV series such as "Radio Time", "12 Gentle Japanese", "Spaceport 2013", "University of Laughter", "The Great Dead", and "Furuhata Jinsaburo". In 2022, the movie "The Killer Is Not Cool", which is also adapted from Koki Mitani's work, was released in China, with a box office of 2.627 billion yuan.
In the stage play "Magic Moment", Zheng Yunlong and Yan Nan play the protagonist Murata Daiki. "As an actor, I can get infinitely close to him, but I am also confused by him. His stubbornness is probably different from mine, but it is also really moving." Zheng Yunlong said, "In life, I am relatively taciturn. I am willing to devote myself to the work and the role, express it in their language, and present it with their actions, which makes me feel free and happy. Becoming Dashu is a strange shock. I have played many slightly extreme roles. Dashu is a different experience. I can't catch him, but I feel a new kind of release. The setting of "play within a play" allows the character's externalized performance desire to be displayed as it should be. Dashu believes, and I also believe, that a passionate actor always has his light, even if it looks magical."
"Magic Moment" is the reunion of Huang Hong, Zheng Yunlong, Yan Nan, Huang Zhaohan and other leading actors after the Chinese version of the stage play "Frankenstein". It is also Zheng Yunlong's third collaboration with Damai after the drama "De Ling and Cixi" and the Chinese version of the stage play "Frankenstein". Zong Juntao and Wang Yadi play Beigo Tomo, Huang Zhaohan plays Shikama Natsuko, Zhang Shiman and Huang Jin play Takachiho Mari, and Huang Hong is specially invited to play Tenshio Konosuke.
Zheng Yunlong challenged a comedy role for the first time in "Magic Moment" and became a producer of a stage play. Li Ren, the director of "Magic Moment", has directed "The Battle of Shangganling", "Call 4921", and the Chinese version of the stage play "Frankenstein". Zheng Yunlong recalled, "My encounter with "Magic Moment" originated from a backstage chat a few years ago. When Director Li Ren handed me the first draft of the script with great care, our magic moment began. I like the stage. On the stage, I can get relaxation and comfort that I can't experience anywhere else. "Magic Moment" also has some of my selfish thoughts. I am grateful to my good brother and friends for being willing to go on this bold adventure with me."
"The Magic Moment" is jointly produced by Damai Mailive, Xikenpia, Fairchild Theatre, Zheng Yunlong Workshop, and Doudou Hope, and jointly produced by Fairchild Theatre, Damai "Of course there is a play", and Shanhou Lianbian Studio. Li Jing, the manager of Damai's "Of course there is a play" label, said, "As a new masterpiece in the new classic series of "Of course there is a play", the stage play "The Magic Moment" will be the label's annual drama that will be focused on and operated in 2024. We are very honored to have obtained the authorization of Mr. Koki Mitani to bring the classic IP "The Magic Moment" to the stage. At the same time, we are also very happy to work with so many outstanding partners, drama creators and powerful actors to explore new possibilities for comedy content production and commercial development, and bring different surprises and experiences to the audience."
Zhao Lin, the producer of "Of course there is a play", said, "'Magic Moment' is a classic structural comedy by Koki Mitani. This stage play will continue the drama and thought of the original work and present the original flavor of the story as much as possible. We hope that while achieving the stage comedy effect, we can effectively convey the positive energy of the protagonist's persistent pursuit of dreams and unremitting perseverance."
After the premiere in Shanghai from July 25 to July 28, "Magic Moment" will be performed in Chongqing, Suzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and other cities. Tickets for the performances in Suzhou, Chongqing and Shenzhen are now on sale. The performances in Beijing and Hangzhou are expected to be held in September.
