At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China, Ma Wudan, a famous Beijing opera knife, studied under Mr. Cheng, one of the "four famous artists". Yan (Yan Qi) is a famous Beijing Opera ticket box master. Yan was born in a helmet box family. His father, Master Lao Yan, is a master. He not only dressed up as a famous actor at that time, but also worked as a servant in the palace. Every time Rong Diexian plays Liang Hongyu in the famous drama "The Battle of Jinshan", this "seven-star forehead" must be worn by Master Yan for him.
Xiaoyan (Shi Xiang) was working with her father at that time, and this day coincided with Rong Diexian's performance "The Battle of Jinshan". When he wrapped his head at the Baotou table (where Dan Jiao put the makeup patch, Baotou), tied the "women's chair" from the "second suitcase" and came to the "helmet box", it happened that Master Lao Yan went to the toilet, Xiaoyan. Rong Diexian asked, "Are you new here?" "Yes" "Whose apprentice?" "With my father, Master Lao Yan." Rong Butterfly Fairy turned around, looked Xiaoyan up and down and said, "Your father is a good cook! You must work hard and study hard. " Xiaoyan nodded and handed her hands over the "seven-star forehead". Rong Diexian asked, "Where is Master Yan?" Xiaoyan said, "I went to relieve myself." Rong Diexian waved and said, "Then wait for him." I took my pipe out of my bag and started smoking. My eyes focused on Xiaoyan's face, and her face was flushed. Xiaoyan was embarrassed at once. At this time, Master Yan said "Shi Xiang, I'm coming" and took the "Seven-Star Forehead" from Xiao Yan. Rong Butterfly Fairy heard the sound, put down his pipe, turned to face the mirror, and held the helmet head with both hands. Master Yan put on the button and only heard a "card". Rong Diexian said, "Tighter!" Master Lao Yan made another effort, only to hear another "card" sound, which made Rong Diexian "hmm" with satisfaction and went to play "overlord" in the curtain. This evening, Xiaoyan seems to have been greatly wronged. On the way home from the play, Xiaoyan was unconvinced and asked, "Dad, what's so hard about honoring the boss's head?" Why not let me give it to him? " Son, boss Rong's head is tight. I'm afraid that letting go will affect the performance. Your kung fu is not good enough. Only when you practice well can you give a corner, so that everyone can rest assured. "Yan in the ear, keep it in mind, practice in your hand, waiting for the opportunity to be proud again. The boss wore a "seven-star forehead" to save face. After a while, Rong Diexian posted the Battle of Jinshan again. This time, Xiaoyan proposed to her father: "Dad, I have been practicing these days and my strength has improved. Today, Boss Rong asked me to put a helmet on him and get the last cold back? "Master Lao Yan fully understands his son's mood. Although he didn't say anything, his attitude could be seen from his eyes. Rong butterfly fairy wrapped her head and tied it. She is walking towards the helmet box. Xiaoyan waited for a long time with a "seven-star forehead" and proudly said, "How come it's you again? ! "Master Lao Yan said quickly," Boss Rong, the child has worked hard and gained a lot of strength. If he can't do it, I'll give it to you. " Rong Diexian had no words, sat down in front of the mirror, took the "seven-star forehead" handed by Xiaoyan with her hand, made a good mouth and said "Le! Xiaoyan was happy and nervous. She set up a helmet rope buckle and pulled it up with all her strength, but Boss Rong's head was too tight and too loose. She said, "No! Pull hard! "Xiaoyan's strength is almost the same, her face is red, and sweat has seeped from her forehead ... Rong said:" It's almost time to go on stage. With your strength, there's nothing wrong with not adding a head to the stage "Xiaoyan was exhausted at this time, panting-Master Lao Yan hurriedly took his hand and listened to the sound of" card, card ",buttoned it neatly and put on his helmet. Rong Diexian said to Xiaoyan with satisfaction, "Ginger is still old and spicy. You should wait a long time. This bowl of drama rice is not delicious. We need something to play with! "Practice hard and study hard." This time, it is even more exciting for master Xiaoyan. What shall we do? Should we change careers? Or are you determined to do well? He chose the latter, determined to get back his face, and he wanted to "pull" Rong Diexian's head. From then on, he went to Tianqiao every day to learn the old move of "hard bow", "holding a big knife to pull a hard bow", and studied hard day and night. When I can pull the hard bow into a circle without too much effort, I think I can "please fight"!
When he showed the performance of "pulling the hard bow" to Master Lao Yan, his father nodded and said with a smile, "You have hard power in your hand, but what you have to do is to strangle people's heads, which is not enough to make them weak. Can the actors stand it? ! It is necessary to combine the softness of' Tai Chi' to tighten the helmet and make the actors dizzy and uncomfortable, so as to sing the unique skills well. Lao Yan said, and put a net towel and water gauze on Xiao Yan, and then put on a thick front fan with feathers and fox tail (the name of the hat and helmet). The father demonstrated the teaching, and the son really experienced the taste of the actor pulling the head. Xiao Yan realized the skill and mystery of how to pull the helmet head well so that it wouldn't fall off.
Outside the front gate, the Dashilan Sanqing Theater will stage the Battle of Jinshan by Rong Diexian. This time, Xiaoyan suggested to Lao Yan: "Dad, don't go backstage today. I was working hard, but you weren't there. Boss Rong has to stop me. " Master Lao Yan understands his son's requirements. "I don't go. You can't' shabu-shabu' on one side! " Xiaoyan said confidently, "Don't worry, you can't smash it!"
Sanqing Theater is another "full house". Rong Diexian is full of energy and very happy. He put on his makeup, wrapped his head and leaned back. As usual, he sat down in front of the big mirror of the helmet box table. Xiaoyan walked up to him with a heavy "seven-star forehead" and said politely, "Boss Rong, my father is ill today, so I will wait for you alone." Rong Diexian glanced at the confident Xiaoyan and asked, "How are you practicing?" Xiaoyan said, "You'll soon know that I haven't practiced." "Well, you can spend all your energy on breastfeeding!" As soon as boss Rong's voice fell, he operated skillfully. When he put on two helmet ropes, he tried a little hard and only heard a beep. These two old helmet ropes are broken! Xiaoyan calmly took out two prepared new headgear ropes and quickly put them on the "seven-star forehead". Master Yan, who was hiding aside, breathed a sigh of relief and nodded with a smile. Boss Rong, who put his helmet in front of the mirror, has already felt something. Xiaoyan has really practiced private skills and is a promising young man. Xiaoyan took the buckle again: "Boss Rong, I am happy!" Just listen to "click", Rong Diexian shouted: "Nothing, nothing!" Xiao Yan said, "Oh, oh", and at the same time, he made it a little soft when fastening, which strengthened the tightness. It's not too late or too early to show up. The battle of Jinshan is the highlight of Beijing opera blues. At ordinary times, Rong Diexian is familiar with it and doesn't feel tired. She is too tight today, a little dizzy! To tell the truth, he would have failed long ago if his head hadn't been tight. In the "epilogue", Rong Diexian entered the scene quickly, and Xiaoyan hurried forward to put on his helmet. Only heard a "wow", Rong boss vomited an acid water. Xiao Yan was shocked, and Lao Yan panicked. In addition to the scenes on the stage, the backstage staff were also distracted! Master Lao Yan hugged Rong Diexian and said apologetically, "It's all my fault, it's all my fault!" Xiaoyan said sadly, "No, it's all my fault!" " Rong Diexian waved his hand and said loudly, "No wonder, I didn't work hard enough." He looked approvingly at Lao Yan and Xiao Yan's father and son, gave a thumbs-up and said, "It's really a strong general without a weak soldier!" " Yan Qi is a young man with heart and ambition, and he will definitely become a good player in the helmet box line in the future. Indeed, Master Yan later became a "helmet box" teacher that Meng Xiaodong and Yang could not do without. He not only knows his own skills, but also knows the stage art of "Henan School" and "Yang School", how to cut his face, what role "forehead" should be cut high, and what role should be "Qi Mei". He combines the skills of dressing up with the characters and artistic schools in the play, which is unique.
Beijing Opera has a long history and is very comprehensive. All walks of life in front of the stage and behind the scenes have special methods, and they are really "the best in all walks of life"!
(Excerpted from "Chinese Peking Opera" magazine)