The classroom door opened and an old gentleman with a head of grey hair and a wizened face walked in. His face may be full of wrinkles, but when he smiled, everyone felt that he was quite adorable. From the first look, Leary appeared extremely kind, giving off an approachable air to the crowd of enthusiastic students.
Tang Feng did not immediately step up and crowd around Leary like the others. He remained at the back and merely gazed at the pesky old geezer. He took a deep breath and smiled faintly.
As if he’d felt Tang Feng’s gaze, Leary, who was surrounded by people, looked up and locked eyes with the young actor. Leary’s dark brown eyes were as limpid as always. Tang Feng could see a mixture of surprise, doubt, and delight reflected in those eyes.
Leary gave the students a unique lesson in acting. None of the restrictive theories that were so prevalent in acting schools were present in Leary’s lesson. Instead, he seemed to think that it was better for the students to use their hearts to feel, to study, and to perform.
“What’s the most important thing in acting? Well, if you’re playing a taxi driver, then you need to act like a taxi driver. You need to appear bored, but also ready to gossip. What other characteristics can you think of? Understanding your role is the most basic thing in acting. Most importantly, you also have to bring your personal charms and special characteristics into your acting. With that, you not only become a taxi driver, but a taxi driver like no other.” Even though he was almost seventy, Leary’s voice sounded vibrant as he gave the lesson.
Rather than trying to tell the trainees how to act or what skills they had to master, Leary preferred to pass on a new, unique concept of acting.
Near the end of the lesson, Leary glanced over every student and smiled. “I used to have a friend. He was revered as one of this century’s most talented actors. When your acting can overcome skin color and cultural differences, then you can consider that as your greatest success.”
“Acting is an art, and there is never a limit to art,” Leary continued. “I hope all of you can go and watch some of Fiennes’ films. His passing was a great loss to the world. But I believe that he isn’t the last of the truly talented performers, I believe that there will be someone among you who will surpass him.”
Intentionally or otherwise, Leary met Tang Feng’s eyes as he spoke the last sentence.