"Is that so? What about other dramas? Guo Kang asked: "Is it because it can't be done, so Roman drama has never been as famous as Greek drama?" ”

"Other dramas......" Li Xuanying listed them for him one by one: "First of all, it is the upper class." Compared to the Greeks, the cultural level of the upper Roman class was really not good. ”

"When the Greek drama system was introduced, the Romans also learned all kinds of dramas. But the patriarchs had no culture, and they would only make people make all kinds of plays that forcibly sang the praises of their ancestors. In this kind of drama, because the main characters are all dignitaries in purple robes, they are also commonly known as 'purple robe dramas'. ”

"What does this kind of drama represent?" Guo Kang asked.

"Nothing famous." Li Xuanying shook his head and said, "The level of purple robe dramas is generally very bad. Many of the scripts were blown out so embarrassingly that the Romans themselves couldn't stand it, so almost all of them were lost. ”

"Okay......" Guo Kang felt that this explanation was also fine: "What about the others?" ”

"There have been some popular comedies and imitation dramas among the people, but there are not many of them. The dramas that the Romans were keen on were basically about the shortcomings of the parents, about mutual fraud, lawsuits, and husbands and wives who were unfaithful to each other and quarreled with each other. Although it was popular at the time, it was generally not nutritious, so it was not famous in later generations. ”

"It's not like you can't write about these folk things." Guo Kang proposed: "If you can write the stories and mentality of secular people, it is actually good." ”

"Maybe I'm really not good at it. You see, the simplest emotional drama is the love drama. But the Romans couldn't write about the Greeks. Li Xuanying gave an example: "The Greeks seem to be more emotional, and they can write about the kind of mellow love that is unforgettable." Whether the ending is a reunion or a tragedy, it can give people a strong shock. But the Romans ......"

He scratched his head: "The playwright Terentius used to import and adapt Greek plays. In some of these romantic dramas, the characters will choose to commit suicide when they are tormented by love. But he found that the Roman audience could not understand this behavior. ”

"In the eyes of the Romans, suicide was an extremely heroic event with a very rich meaning. Therefore, they feel that because of love, they are fascinated and want to die or live, which is too hypocritical and cannot achieve the audience's understanding and emotional resonance. In the end, Terentius had no choice but to delete all the relevant plots. ”

Of course, I guess this has something to do with the playwright's own limited skills. Terentius was the most accomplished playwright of his time, and even received a rare prize. But his pen is still not very good, compared with the Greek playwrights of a similar era, that is, the level of Menander, who is half a comedy writer. ”

"Also, that's not what I said. This is what Caesar said about his work. He added deliberately.

"And what did the Romans like?" Guo Kang asked.

"I guess I like to be lively." Li Xuanying said: "The positioning of drama at the top of ancient Rome was leisure and entertainment from the beginning. The earliest comedies were after the First Punic War, and in order to appease the weary citizens, troupes from the southern Greater Greece region were invited to perform them. In the future, it has become a common practice to let citizens watch dramas and entertainment. Even our current theater has the same idea. ”

Moreover, Greek theatre was intended for citizens, and theatre was seen as a way of cultivating people, and even special allowances were given to those who went to the theatre. But the citizens of Rome were much more numerous than those of the Greek city-states, but their average social status and property level were far inferior to theirs, and their level of education could not catch up. ”

In this case, the Führer and the aristocracy were trying to win over the people with lavish performances, and at the same time to show their generosity. The people are just trying to have fun, and they don't think about philosophical issues. ”

In addition, although the upper echelons of ancient Rome have been using theater, they have also insisted on suppressing those who work in this industry. The social status of the playwright was not high, and the actors were simply slaves and freed slaves. ”

"They also engage in excellent and lowly citizenship?" Guo Kang asked curiously.

"It should be something like this." Li Xuanying nodded: "The law at that time stated that with a few exceptions, free people could not participate in dramas, otherwise they would be deprived of some political power. ”

"By the time of the Empire, women could also participate in comedy performances. This is not because Roman women had a higher status than the Greeks, but because the status of actors was too low. Comedians, in particular, are already at the same level as women, and there is no need to limit them anymore. ”

"As for why, I can't say. However, in such an environment, it is normal to not be able to write works of a high level. ”

And with the development of the times, the playwright's focus has also changed. The empire became more and more prosperous, and there were more and more theaters and theatrical performances, and the scripts were more and more demanding. ”

"By the fourth century, Rome had 175 days of 365 days a year for theatrical performances. For writers and theatre companies, it is important to put on a sufficient number of novelty plays to capture the attention of the audience. During this period, many cities were still prosperous, but the artistic level of drama was getting lower and lower, and there were no representative works that could be mastered. ”

"So, what should be the reason why Roman drama as a whole is not good?" Guo Kang asked: "Is it the patriarch's blind command, or the writer's level is too poor, or the commoner's appreciation ability is too low?" ”

"I don't know." Li Xuanying spread his hands: "If you have to say it, it's probably all fate." ”

"Use it directly on the spot,......" Guo Kang said speechlessly.

"I'm not studying this, I'm just listening to other people." Li Xuanying defended: "Let me summarize, I can't summarize it well." You're smarter than me, I think you'd better think for yourself. ”

"I'm going to figure it out, I'm still idle and have nothing to ask." Guo Kang said speechlessly: "Don't you think you are a senior drama researcher?" ”

"Then I'll wait a while, I'll take you to ask directly." Li Xuanying thought about it and finally decided.

"Don't forget to get down to business, I still have to find someone to support Zhu Da's shelf." Guo Kang reminded.

"No delay, no delay." Li Xuanying waved his hand: "It's solved by the way." ”

"Oh yes, don't tell my dad about my drama." He hurriedly added.

"Okay, okay."

Although it looks unreliable, Li Xuanying will do her best to do what she promised. So Guo Kang also nodded and responded.

He was thinking about what to do later, and after the stage, several staff members lifted out a shelf and began to set up the scene. The audience, who seemed to rarely see props set up behind the stage, turned around and watched curiously while talking to each other. And the men took out a large round mirror and fixed it on the shelf.

"Huh?" Guo Kang always felt that this thing was a little familiar: "Isn't this my reflector......"

"That's what you did, too." Li Xuanying was not surprised: "I'll just say, it's all copper mirrors before, and it's the first time I've seen this kind of glass." ”

"I've only done this in the monastery, I don't know where they got it. Others are also capable of doing it? Or did Master Wang order it directly from the monastery? Guo Kang was a little puzzled.

"Even if other people can make this thing, it will definitely not be cheap." Li Xuanying said: "The monastery is also the territory of the church, and it is not surprising that Master Wang asked them to make one and use it as props for the drama they promoted." ”

Guo Kang thought about it and felt that it did make sense.

"All kinds of props are also the characteristics of this show. However, it is more troublesome to install, which is why the interlude is so long this time. Li Xuanying said: "But this is also the benefit of the night club, so I specially chose to bring you here this time." ”

Guo Kang nodded, and when he saw the staff holding a goblet-like glassware in front of the mirror, he probably knew what it was for.

Electric bulbs are more cumbersome to operate, but in theaters with the brightness required, there is more than one way to illuminate. This kind of whale oil lamp is a very commonly used one.

In northern Europe, whaling traditions arose along the North Sea coast, with traders transporting the oil to Novgorod and then south to the capital. This oil is used as a fuel, has a high brightness and is durable, and can be used in lighthouses. In daily life, it is also a very convenient lighting product.

In this way, this modification is also quite practical.

When the light stand was ready, a bell rang to inform the audience that the intermission was over.

The curtain is pulled back again, and the scene has been replaced. In addition to the curtain painted with blue sky and hedges, a green carpet is also laid with colorful dots. A little to the left in the middle of the stage, there is a model fountain that is actually spewing water now. Behind the fountain is a shrub composed of bonsai.

The Sun and his warriors sat on the carpet by the fountain and took turns singing while drinking. At this time, the "Goddess of Discord" walked up from the other side with a wine jar in her hand.

She wandered and strode forward as she looked back. After walking two laps, the "Goddess of the Night" crept out of the backstage with a few other people, walked behind the bushes, squatted down, and hid. The actors on the "Sun" side stopped chanting, allowing the audience to divert their attention.

"Mother!" The goddess of discord walked over quickly: "Have you found all the helpers?" ”

"The mourners brought them all. As long as they are infighting, we will take the opportunity to rush to them and settle them. The Queen Mother Ni, the goddess of the night, said confidently.

She stood up and began to point:

"God of Destruction, Karl!"

"I'm here!" A strong man with a huge red angry mask and an axe on his back stood up from behind the bushes and answered.

"Goddess of Deception, Apate!" Empress Dowager Ni shouted again.

"My daughter is here!" Apate, who had already appeared once, also stood up and responded to her mother.

"God of rot, Eurynomus!" Empress Dowager Ni continued.

"I-am-in-the-am!" A fat man with a blue-green oil paint and a blue-faced fanged mask also stood up and replied in a long tone.

"Goddess of Desire, Philotheus!" Empress Dowager Ni greeted.

"My daughter is here!" Philotes, who had also already appeared, replied sharply.

"Listen to you!" The Queen Mother crossed her waist and gave them a lecture: "Obey my command, when the order is issued, you will immediately go together, understand?" ”

"Got it!"

"I know what you mean, Mother."

"Clear-white-"

"Understood~"

The four children replied.

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction, looked at it again, and said, "Strange, what about Hypnos." ”

Everyone else shook their heads, indicating that they hadn't seen it. The Queen Mother waved her hand, indicating that these children were enough.

After her mother and older siblings had hid again, Eris, the goddess of discord, came to the fountain with wine in her hand.

The crowd stood up and looked at Eris warily. And she exclaimed: "Warriors, I have been given a jar of fine wine, but the jar reads 'To the bravest heroes'. Although there have been conflicts in the past, I dare not go against the arrangement of fate. I'll leave this jar to you, decide who to give it to!" ”

With that, she put down her wine and walked away with a light dance.

Everyone walked over and whispered to each other as they observed the jar. The sun strode over and cried out to the crowd, "What's wrong with this wine?" Asclepius! ”

An old man in a robe stepped out from behind the scenes, lit a wine jar with a cane carved with a snake, and said, "No problem, this is normal wine." ”

The heroes are talking even louder, and some have begun to try to convince everyone to let themselves taste first. In the midst of the chaos, the sun stepped forward and picked up the jug.

"In that case, we will award it to the bravest heroes in accordance with the requirements above." He said: "Who do you think is the most qualified? ”

One by one, the heroes stepped forward and recounted their exploits. Some have slain horrible monsters, some have slain huge numbers of enemies, and some have experienced adventures unimaginable to ordinary people. Every time a hero finishes his narration, the sun cheers loudly and everyone cheers for him.

Finally, he said, "You are all one in a million warriors, and I can't tell who is braver." So—"

He opened the jug, turned around, and poured it all into the fountain.

After the stage, the staff lit the lights and cast the bright spots above the spring, like a small sun.

The Greek audience was amazed, and some couldn't help but stand up.

The "sun" shook the empty jar, then put it into the spring, scooped a full jar, and handed it to the first warrior: "This whole jar is for you, and I salute your courage!" ”

The light then turned to him. The warrior held the jar and drank down, shouting, "Good wine! ”

The sun scooped another jar and handed it to the second: "This is your jar of wine, toast your swordsmanship!" ”

The warrior also lifted the jar, raised his head in the light and drank bitterly, and then shouted: "Rejoice! ”

The band began to play a rousing music, and the audience's emotions were also aroused, and the applause came and went.

"The Greeks really don't know this allusion." Guo Kang said in surprise.

"Isn't this what you said yourself, a combination of Eastern and Western cultures?" Li Xuanying didn't know what he was surprised about.

Guo Kang hesitated, feeling that there seemed to be no problem.

On the other side of the stage, Empress Dowager Ni poked her head out and made a posture of listening. When the audience's cries gradually disappeared, he spoke: "The mourners heard that over there, everyone was shouting, it must be that the plan had been completed, and those people started a fight themselves." ”

"Boys, give it to me!"

The four sons and daughters immediately walked out of the bushes. And when the sun saw them, they immediately stopped the revelry and assumed a posture to meet the enemy.

"Not good!" Apata, the goddess of deception, exclaimed, "They didn't fight at all. It's a scam! ”

With that, she turned around and fled first.

Philotheus, the goddess of desire, faced the sun, and the sun directly picked up the spear. The goddess angrily cursed him for not knowing how to pity the fragrance and cherish the jade, and at the same time quickly turned around and ran.

Eurynamos, the god of rot, limped forward, a cut slower than the others. Seeing that the two younger sisters had fled before they could fight, he also quickly turned around. Before he could get to the place, he limped back again.

In the end, Karl, the god of destruction, foolishly rushed forward alone, and was immediately beaten up with justice. In the laughter of the audience, he was knocked down with all hands and feet and thrown behind the curtain.

Seeing that the children had failed and the sun was chasing after her, Empress Dowager Ni jumped out of the bushes with a scream and ran to the edge of the stage.

There was a lifting device for "mechanical séance", and Empress Dowager Ni stood up and shouted, "I will definitely come back!" The device slowly ascended, implying that she flew up and fled.

Amid the laughter of the audience, the curtain gradually closed.

"This is the fixed routine of this show." Li Xuanying told Guo Kang: "The end of every part is a failure of a plan. And at the end, the Queen Mother will chant 'I will definitely come back', indicating that there is still a next episode. ”

"That's ......"

Guo Kang nodded, and in the continuous applause of the audience, the curtain slowly opened a corner.

The staff has rolled up the carpet here. On the stage floor, a man in a nightgown and a nightcap was lying. The singer's narrator explains: "At the same time, the son of Nyx, the sleeping god Hypnos, is still on his way to the battlefield. ”

The spot of light turned, illuminating the corner, and the sleeping god sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Behind the scenes, the singing team still sang the war song, but the voice was reduced. There are also people who are constantly shouting and seem to be fighting. The Sleeping God took a listening pose, blocked his eyes again, and turned his head to face the audience.

"Why is it so bright all of a sudden? And the sound of fighting? Could it be that the brothers and sisters are fighting with the sun? ”

He hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind: "Anyway, there is no shortage of me." I'd better sleep a little longer. ”

With that, he buttoned his nightcap to his face and lay down again.

In the laughter of the audience, the rope drove the curtain and slowly closed it again. The backstage staff also extinguished the oil lamp, ending the show.

"How's it going, these props still work well with them, right?" Li Xuanying said very energetically: "So the last time you asked, I said that I welcome all new technologies." After a little study of these things, the improvement of the stage effect is very obvious. ”

"You're still in charge of planning the stage?" Guo Kang was surprised.

"I also know a concept, let me come, I guess it won't work. But some of my friends get it. Li Xuanying explained: "Come on, I'll take you to meet people." ”

The play has ended, the audience has left, and the staff has begun to pack their things. Li Xuanying took Guo Kang and walked to the backstage preparation room.

(End of chapter)