Chapter 80
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Captivating the British Troupe
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Early that morning, I arrived at the rehearsal space for the RUN UK performance team, the same one I'd visited yesterday.
My uncle, whod gotten a full days rest, was with me today.
We still hadnt found a rental car, so the two of us took a taxi to get here.
Uncle was bowing and greeting everyone who passed by in this tense atmosphere where everyone chattered away in English.
Ha, hi! Nice to meet you.
Oh, youre the newbies manager? Nice to meet you.
The actors welcomed Uncle far more warmly than they had me yesterday.
Thanks to that, he was gradually loosening up.
He hadnt let go of his English conversation book, though.
Siu, hows your condition?
Good. The hotel bed Lee Insu booked for me was fantastic.
Jessica, whod been checking on the troupe members, greeted me warmly.
When I told her my body felt much lighter now, she looked surprised.
Really? Kids must recover fast. You flew twelve hours, after all. Id be wiped out.
Haha, this doesnt sound like you, Jessicaalways jetting off to another country.
Thanks, Siu. That means a lot.
Beside us, Joey Soo let out a relieved breath, patting his chest.
Hed been worried my sudden summons might mean we werent fully prepared.
Alright, warm up a bit. Well start with scenes that dont need Jonathan.
Got it. Sounds good, Jessica.
Jessica pointed me toward the stretching mats, then called the troupe together.
Lets kick off with the Nixon and Bella scenes today.
Yes!
One corner of the rehearsal space was set up like a simple stage.
It had a single step, about the height of a stair riser, and though the lights were sparse, a few were in place.
Mirrors surrounded it, of course, so the actors could check their own form.
They definitely put more thought into facilities like this than in Seoul.
No wonder they call Britain the mecca of theater.
The rehearsal room, meticulously equipped in every detail, was fascinating.
Yesterdays sparring partner Gordon and a middle-aged actress climbed onto the makeshift stage.
Oh, she must be the one playing Bella.
She looked much younger than Noh Young-hee, whod played my grandmother back in Korea.
Shed probably cake on more makeup for the actual show.
They exchanged a few brief words, then dove straight into the scene.
Phew, Bella! Im back. Hows Jonny?
You disappear without a word, and now youre asking about Jonny?
Gordon burst in frantically from the corner downstage, playing Nixon with unusually precise enunciation.
Watching him, I couldnt help but chuckle.
Was Nixons tone naturally like that, or was it because Id brought up his Scottish roots yesterday? Id have to ask Jessica later.
Come on, Mom. Wont you welcome your only son?
Mom? Since when do you call me that so creepily?
Britains Bella came off even more curt than Id expected.
Still, hearing it in English made the dialogue feel more natural.
Probably because the original script was American.
Haha, Mom, youre too much. Anyway, wheres my boy Jonny? I dont see him.
Out on an errand.
Ah, then he can pack his bags as soon as he gets back.
Pack?
Bellas actress, whod been mimicking knitting, froze mid-motion at Nixons sudden line.
Nice facial work.
She didnt overplay the shock but conveyed it perfectly.
You never liked Jonny much, right? Now that Im back, Ill take him with me!
That made Nixons oblivious cheerfulness hit just right, as he blabbered on without a clue about his mothers feelings.
I nodded along, watching the British teams scene unfold.
Their level was undeniably high.
The actual performance would be on a bigger stage, but this makeshift one wasnt small by any means.
It was even a tad larger than Emergency Iron 777s stage.
Yet just two actors filled that vast, bare expanse without it feeling empty.
Restrained movements, perfect projection.
They knew exactly how to work a stage.
Even in these short snippets, it shone through.
Once that boy leaves, Ill have nothing left to enjoy.
Bellas voice carried crystal-clear onstage, without hogging a mic.
And this room wasnt even designed for echo.
A mumble like that, yet perfectly audible.
Pure, honed vocal technique.
This housell go dark again. I should tell Jonny to buy more candles before he goes. Not like well need much light anymore.
Bellas bitter lines.
The same curtness as when Nixon was rampaging around, but it tugged at the heart, evoking her quiet sorrow.
Watching what would soon be my grandmothers performance, I rekindled Jonnys forgotten emotions.
My Jonny, whod acted under blazing lights on a massive stage for over two months.
Id memorized every line already.
Back then it was in Korean, but now it was English.
No problem.
Acting in Englishmy old native tonguewould be even easier.
Before coming to Britain, Id mastered the RUN English script at home and on the plane.
I closed my eyes gently, listening to Bellas voice.
Stepping into her dim house, ready to light the fire in her heart.
Siu, youre not asleep, are you?
No way.
The actors wrapped a run-through, and Jessica called for a break.
She teased me playfully as I sat with eyes closed, reviewing Jonnys emotions.
What do you think of the British teams skills?
Amazing. Feels a bit different from the Korean cast, though.
Nixon had a touch more roguish charm, Bella a shade less warmth.
Probably down to differing family vibes from Korean culture.
But RUNs core message stayed the same.
The journey to becoming true family.
Even Britains Bella nailed that essence.
Jessica nodded thoughtfully, hanging on my every point.
Id hit her directorial sweet spots.
Exactly. Same play, but tweak the focus for the audience. Having a lead from the Korean run here makes this convo possible. Fun stuff.
Good to hear. But doesnt wrangling teams from different countries on such short notice give you headaches?
Jessica burst out laughing at my take on the logistical woes.
Guess an kid actor pondering that amused her.
I meant it sincerely.
Oh dear, Ive got you worried, Siu. But its fine. Thats part of the charm of multinational runs. Ready to jump in?
Yeah, no problem.
I nodded readily.
If anything, I was itching to get onstage.
Watching RUN after so long had my inner Jonny squirming.
Great. Lets run it with Jonny now?
A few actors nodded at Jessicas booming call.
Thats when I felt a scorching glare from the side.
Whats that about?
I turned to see Gordon glaring daggers, like he wanted to devour me.
Still hung up on yesterdays words, huh.
Tch, petty guy.
I shrugged at him.
Tch.
Gordon let out a disbelieving scoff.
Whatever.
I wouldnt sweat it.
One solid performance, and his attitude would flip.
No point coddling a childish dad who judged before seeing the goods.
That said, his Nixon showed he wasnt half-assing the craft.
Seemed dead serious about acting
I was secretly looking forward to how that glare would change once he saw mine.
Okay. Siu. Lets break.
Jessicas call ended the scene. Bellas actress and I caught our breath coming off the makeshift stage.
Before stepping down fully, I spoke to my scene partner.
Emily. That last line was perfect.
Me? Honestly, Im stunned.
Emily, Britains Bella, was frank post-run.
Shed been blown away by my acting.
I teased her as she shook her head in awe.
You didnt buy Jessicas hype either, huh?
Didnt doubt her eye. But a runaway kid at eight? Her directions tough, sure. Pros push through, but it was brutal for a child. Then you show up at five. Three years younger. Cant help but worry. Cut us some slack.
Fair. My age is always the issue.
I brushed it off lightlygrow up quickand she laughed good-naturedly.
Relieved by my cool vibe, she smiled and added,
Sorry if we were rude yesterday, Siu.
No biggie. I figured itd play out like this.
Thats why Id wanted to just act yesterday.
Jessica knew a demo would shut them up, so shed told me to rest.
Such confidence. Well-earned, though.
Emily raved like Jonny had leaped from the script.
I shot Jessica a playful glance.
Bellas heart was conquered.
Jessica, arms crossed with a grin, flashed a thumbs-up.
Now, whos left
The other actors clustered in groups, buzzing about my run.
Bright faces all aroundtheir doubts erased.
I scanned for the elusive Gordon.
Hup.
I hopped down from the stage.
Ah, there he is.
Gordon stood frozen in the left corner, staring between me and the stage in disbelief.
Whats with the shock?
Jessica had hyped me, but his face said he hadnt bought it.
I ignored him and took a step forwardonly for the British troupe to swarm me.
Jonny, Jonny! Oh, waitSiu. What was that?
Insane. Siu, who are you? What did we just witness?
Haha, calm down, everyone.
The hyped-up troupe showered me with praise.
Your accents flawless. Hits the ear just right. How do you nail English like thatnot even your native tongue? And perfect British pronunciation!
Whered you learn to act? Spill the secret.
Heh, surrounded, I glanced at Jessica.
She arched a brow, smirking like shed seen it coming.
Winning over the British troupe took less than three hours.