begins immediately.

Xu Yang took out the light blue sheet music book from his bag, flipped to the pages he had finished writing last night, and handed it over with both hands.

Zhou Yuqin took it and was first struck by the neat and beautiful handwriting, then her gaze fell on the title.

"Cheer up?" she read aloud, a hint of doubt in her voice.

"right."

Xu Yang nodded.

"This is a comedy sketch about a group of workers in a factory workshop who encourage each other in order to complete their production tasks."

"The core tone is positive and uplifting, but the presentation is relatively light and lively, with jokes and laughs, and an emotional climax at the end."

He spoke casually, but everyone in the rehearsal hall perked up their ears.

Comedy sketch?

In those days, most of the programs on stage were serious song and dance performances, recitations, excerpts from model operas, or solemn dramas.

Comedy sketches do exist, but they are extremely rare, and their quality is generally low.

Zhou Yuqin didn't speak, but lowered her head and began to read the script.

Zhang Dahe also joined in, the two of them head to head, flipping through the pages one by one.

On the first page, the two people's expressions were relatively calm.

On the second page, Zhou Yuqin's lips twitched slightly.

On the third page, Zhang Dahe burst out laughing and quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

Upon reaching page four, Zhou Yuqin slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Great! That was a brilliant punchline!"

Zhang Dahe took off his glasses and wiped the corners of his eyes; they were tears of laughter.

He slammed the script on the table, turned to look at Xu Yang, his gaze burning with intensity.

"Comrade Xu, no, Comrade Xu Yang! Get this script typed! Type it today! Right now! Tell me what's missing, and I'll personally coordinate it for you!"

Zhou Yuqin also stood up, and the way she looked at Xu Yang had completely changed.

Just now, his tone was gentle yet scrutinizing, but now that scrutiny has turned into fervent interest, even carrying a hint of solemnity.

"Xiao Xu, how long will it take you to finish this script? How many actors do you need? What are the requirements for props and costumes? Just let me know."

Xu Yang already knew what was going on.

"Three male actors and one female actor. The props are very simple: a work table, a few tools, and an enamel mug will do. Give me three days to rehearse, and I guarantee I'll be able to perform."

"Three days?" Zhou Yuqin's eyes widened in surprise.

"You can rehearse a skit in just three days?"

"That's enough." Xu Yang said this in a calm tone, but it was precisely this calmness that made everyone feel the weight of his words.

Before Zhou Yuqin could speak, Tian Chunmiao in the corner jumped up with her hands raised: "Me! I'll play the female worker! Comrade Xu Yang, give me a chance, I promise I'll do my best!"

Chen Zhiguo pushed up his glasses and took a step forward: "I should be suitable to play that intellectual technician. I can just play myself."

The other two male actors also raised their hands, afraid of being left behind.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Xu Yang felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

This is the state he wants: to be able to command a large following, to act decisively, and to have light in everyone's eyes.

Zhang Dahe made the decision: "Okay! Xiao Xu, you're in full charge of the rehearsals. Captain Zhou will assist you in coordinating manpower. As for the other programs, we'll think of something else."

Xu Yang nodded without saying anything more.

He knew that from this moment on, his position in the propaganda team would no longer be as simple as "a new comrade who just arrived".

Zhou Yuqin worked swiftly and gathered everyone together in less than fifteen minutes.

Besides Tian Chunmiao and Chen Zhiguo, the other two male actors are Li Dazhuang, who is known as the team's all-rounder and can take on any role.

The other one is named Sun Jianjun. He is mainly responsible for announcing programs and reciting poems, but he is also quite good at performing.

Xu Yang distributed the scripts, and the four of them huddled together to read them. The rehearsal hall was quiet for less than two minutes before Tian Chunmiao burst out laughing. Then Li Dazhuang laughed heartily and slapped his thigh.

"Comrade Xu Yang, your lyrics are absolutely brilliant!" Li Dazhuang's voice was loud, and his laughter sounded like the ringing of a bell.

"I can't help but recite that line, 'Revolutionary work isn't a dinner party, but don't starve yourself either!'"

Xu Yang smiled and clapped his hands to quiet everyone down: "Everyone, you've all read the script. The core of this play can be summed up in four words: positive and funny."

"No matter what kind of jokes we use, we can't lose the spirit of the characters. We need to make the leaders and the masses in the audience laugh while also feeling the enthusiasm of our workers. Come on, let's go through the lines first and get a feel for it."

The rehearsals began in full swing.

Xu Yang had never been a director before, but he had decades of experience watching plays. Which of the comedy variety shows and drama recordings of later generations hadn't been tested and refined by the market?

He knew exactly what rhythm to keep, what punchline to deliver half a beat later, and what stage movements to make the performance more visually appealing. All of these things were etched into his mind, as if they were innate instincts.

Zhou Yuqin was initially worried that Xu Yang would show his timidity. After all, this young man had only been there for one day. No matter how eloquently he spoke, he might not be able to command respect on the rehearsal stage.

As a result, after standing there for less than twenty minutes, her initial worry turned into shock.

When Xu Yang was giving instructions to the actors, he didn't say much, but every word he said was to the point.

Li Dazhuang, who plays an old worker, was instructed by Xu Yang to carry the enamel mug as if it were a wine cup: "You're not carrying a tea mug, you're carrying a celebratory drink. Even though you're complaining, your eyes should be bright, and people should be able to see the indomitable spirit in your heart."

Sun Jianjun, who played a young worker, had the most lines, including several long monologues. He read them haltingly and was sweating profusely with anxiety.

Xu Yang didn't rush him, but helped him break it down sentence by sentence, telling him which words should be emphasized, where to pause for a second, and where to slam the wrench on the table.

Chen Zhiguo, an intellectual technician, had his fingers trembling slightly when Xu Yang asked him to push up his glasses: "You're not pushing up your glasses, you're suppressing that bold idea in your heart. You tried to suppress it several times but couldn't. After pushing it up for the last time, you just stood up and slammed your fist on the table in one go."

Although Tian Chunmiao's role as a factory worker is small, a key turning point is driven by her character.

When Xu Yang told her to say, "You grown men are so indecisive, I'm not as straightforward as you," she should throw the rag in her hand onto the table, put her hands on her hips, raise her chin slightly, and look at him with a hint of provocation and smugness in her eyes.

"This movement..." Tian Chunmiao tried it twice, then her eyes suddenly lit up, "Hey, with this flick, the feeling just comes through!"

Zhou Yuqin watched from the sidelines, her heart churning with turmoil.

She had been the deputy captain for over a decade and had seen many talented young people, but she had never seen anyone like Xu Yang who could take on the main responsibility of directing a play right from the start.

This isn't a new comrade; this is clearly a precious gift sent by God to the propaganda team.