Where does Shen Ronghai get his motivation from? He broke three ribs in a car accident but still insisted on performing

Last October, Shen Ronghai was riding an electric bike on the street and got into a car accident, breaking three ribs. Seven days later, he went on stage in Hangzhou, performing at 7:30 p.m. and putting on makeup at 6:30 p.m., with an extra "process" - taking painkillers and getting injections. On June 30, the main creators of "Laughter of Shikumen", Mao Mengda, Shen Ronghai, and Zhang Minquan, were guests at Duoyun Academy·Drama Store to share stories on and off the stage. Recalling his performance experience in Hangzhou half a year ago, Shen Ronghai joked, "It's glorious to 'fall' on the stage."

In September, the sixth anniversary of "Laughter of Shikumen" returned to the Lyceum Theatre where it premiered. In the past six years, "Laughter of Shikumen" has performed 160 times. 73-year-old Shen Ronghai said, "We didn't dominate the stage, we just enjoyed it." In order to maintain a good performance, he can do 100 push-ups. "Without fitness, my concussion and ribs would not recover so quickly."

"When I'm on stage, I have a sense of responsibility and honor. I have to meet the needs of the audience, so I have to exercise and stay in good shape," said Mao Mengda, an old partner. "Laughter of Shikumen" has been performed for 6 years. It has moved me, brought me expectations, and also pressure. "In the past, I didn't have to pay to watch one-man shows and comedy shows. Tickets were issued. Now that Laughter of Shikumen is sold in the market, we are afraid that we won't perform well and the audience will not be satisfied."

After 160 performances of "Laughter of Shikumen", Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai insisted on rehearsing the script before each performance and rehearsing after the performance. Before each round of performance, the two reviewed the "baggage", and the original 3-hour performance was gradually reduced to 15 minutes. "If you like this art, you will keep studying it." Shen Ronghai said, "Every 'baggage' is carefully thought out and I am reluctant to delete it, but only by constantly eliminating the dross and retaining the essence and constantly upgrading can we achieve better results." Zhang Minquan hosted 160 performances of "Laughter of Shikumen", "I laughed in every performance, and they made me laugh."

"Instead of lamenting that the market is not good or that it doesn't work, it's better to ask yourself whether it works." In Mao Mengda's view, one-man shows and comedy shows must change with the times and develop. "This is my lifeblood, my career, and my whole life. We must meet the challenges of Happy Twist and talk shows and keep innovating. Our audience is here."

After leaving the theater, Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai went to universities and middle schools to give promotional lectures on "Laughter of Shikumen", preparing different contents for audiences of different age groups. They were delighted to learn from the audience that some people on the streets of Britain were watching clips of "Laughter of Shikumen" on their mobile phones, and overseas Chinese who returned to Shanghai for the New Year included going to the theater to watch "Laughter of Shikumen" as a stop on their itinerary. "Persist, keep working hard, and let more people watch "Shikumen." "said Mao Mengda.

At the sharing session, Mao Mengda revealed that "Laughter of Shikumen" will go to Wuxi, and there are plans to go abroad in the future. "Hangzhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou... the entire Yangtze River Delta region is a potential stage for "Laughter of Shikumen". In May, "Laughter of Shikumen" landed in Changshu, Jiangsu. In the second half of the first show, the audience was excited, which was very similar to the effect of our premiere in Shanghai. After the second show, the local performance organizer lamented that Shanghai one-man show has not been here for more than 20 years, and it must come often in the future."

In September 2018, Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai premiered their one-man show "Laughter of Shikumen", which revolves around the earth-shaking changes that have taken place in Shanghai's Shikumen over the 40 years of reform and opening up. "Laughter of Shikumen" focuses on the changes and development of Shanghai culture, Shanghai manufacturing, Shanghai services, and Shanghai shopping since the reform and opening up, constantly adding new topics and expressing love for Shanghai with humor. In addition to bringing laughter, Mao Mengda also hopes that "Laughter of Shikumen" will allow more people to understand Shanghai. "One-man shows and farce have all kinds of social conditions and local customs, and are more integrated into Shanghai's history and old-fashioned lifestyle. It is also a promotion of Shanghai's cultural brand."

Mao Shanyu, a famous Shanghai opera artist, appeared at the sharing session. She was the mysterious guest of the premiere and 100th performance of "Laughter of Shikumen". "Every time I went on stage, Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai would go backstage to change clothes. For a one-man show, they could wear the same suit throughout the show, but they changed clothes, which showed their respect for the stage." As an actor, Mao Shanyu praised Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai for their pioneering spirit. "It takes courage to accept audience comments. I feel their love and responsibility for one-man shows and comedy. Every laugh is the result of their efforts. Shanghai opera, one-man shows and comedy are all Shanghai's 'local products', and we must have cultural confidence." He Yi, an actor from the Shanghai Drama Arts Center, was deeply touched. "Shanghai audiences have watched many performances and are knowledgeable. Both Mao Mengda and Shen Ronghai are talented experts."

During the European Cup, the audience gave two small footballs to the creators at the sharing session. "I watched "Laughter of Shikumen" in August last year, and bought tickets to watch it with my parents in October. My parents felt sorry for the ticket money at first, and asked me after watching it if I would see it again in the future. I am grateful that "Laughter of Shikumen" has changed my parents' consumption concept. It is not enough to watch the one-man show on mobile phone. In September, I will bring my mother-in-law to watch it again."