The Greatest Showman#730 - Industrial Dilemma

"Didn't you say you were in Argentina? Why are you back?" Renly asked, his curiosity piqued.

Andre and Renly had just left the waiting room and climbed into a golf cart. Rather than having a designated driver, Andre took the wheel while Renly relaxed beside him. Andre chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. "I heard the youngest son of the Hall family returned to London. How could I miss such a spectacle? I couldn't resist taking the red-eye flight just to be here. When I say 'return to London,' I don't just mean geographically, but in terms of making my grand re-entry into high society."

Renly smiled, knowing Andre was joking, but decided to play along. "I heard the youngest son of the Hamilton family stirred up quite a scene in Buenos Aires—a brawl in the hotel lobby with three women. Someone even ran off. I wonder if there's any way to get tickets to see that show?"

Andre raised an eyebrow in surprise. "The news spread that quickly?"

Renly shrugged. "I'm not the first to know. Seems like news spreads faster than anyone can imagine. Hollywood's a breeding ground for gossip, but honestly, it's nothing compared to the self-righteousness of aristocrats. At least in Hollywood, everything's out in the open, unlike those high-society types who prefer to keep things hidden behind closed doors."

Andre sighed, "Skipping the anniversary hunting trip was definitely the right choice."

Renly looked surprised. "You didn't go? Eaton called me the other day, and even he was roped in this year!" Eaton, known for his lack of interest in outdoor sports, even struggled to keep up with activities like horse riding. But this year, he had to attend to help promote a new brand.

Andre, clearly unsympathetic, shrugged. "It's his decision. He had to be there for the brand launch, but I didn't find it worth my time. I took a quick walk around the hunting grounds. This year, I bet Henry Dunlop will take the top prize again. He gets so excited. Honestly, though, it wasn't much fun, so I sneaked off."

"And now, here you are interrupting my work," Renly commented, rolling his eyes.

Andre laughed. "You should see their faces. It's like they're stuck in a swamp, avoiding the muck but too curious about the orchids hiding at the top."

"So, after this, you're heading to Indiana Jones territory, huh?" Renly teased, uncovering Andre's true intentions, which made Andre laugh even harder. He didn't deny it, instead nodding calmly.

"If I told you I came here specifically to visit the set and see how you're working, would you believe me?" Andre asked, though Renly didn't respond, rolling his eyes in disbelief. Andre, of all people, taking time to visit a set? When Andre was in Los Angeles, industry insiders were practically lining up to invite him to sets, which made his current claim all the more unbelievable.

"I'm serious," Andre said, feigning sincerity. "I even made special arrangements for English afternoon tea today, and the whole team will join me later. You know how difficult it is to get the Ritz's team to cooperate."

The Ritz, a renowned high-society hotel in central London, is more about aristocratic tradition than commercial success. While it's a five-star hotel, it caters to the elite with meticulously curated experiences, like its famous afternoon tea. Guests are required to dress formally, with gentlemen even expected to wear a tie. If they fail to meet these requirements, entry is denied.

Renly raised an eyebrow, "If you're looking for a place to flaunt status, I'm pretty sure Claridge's would be a better choice, not the Ritz."

Claridge's, unlike the Ritz, is known for attracting celebrities and even true aristocrats for its afternoon tea, making it a hotspot for those wanting to show off their social standing. The Ritz, by contrast, is seen as more commercial.

Andre gave Renly a playful shrug. "You don't drink afternoon tea anyway."

Before Renly could respond, Andre switched gears. "So, you don't believe me? I really did come here to visit the set, but I also have something else on my mind." He gestured toward the nearby studio.

Renly nodded, signaling to Andre to park. Andre slowed down and stopped the cart. "I've been offered an opportunity to invest in a Broadway play. You know I've always had an interest in different entertainment industries—film, stage, TV—but I'm still not very knowledgeable about theater. I wanted to ask if you might be interested in returning to the stage?"

Renly raised an eyebrow. "John Codd is looking for you, too?" Renly recalled their last encounter at Eaton's unveiling ceremony. John had seemed to be raising funds for a new project, and Renly suspected he might be involved in this too.

Andre appeared momentarily confused. "No, this is a Broadway project. Wait, John found you?" He frowned slightly. If it was for funding, Renly wouldn't have been his first choice. "But it makes sense. The West End's economy is in bad shape. I heard another foundation just pulled their support for London theater."

Global stage productions, including the iconic West End and Broadway, have been in decline for years. People are less inclined to sit through long theater performances when other entertainment options are available. Broadway, while still commercially stronger than the West End, has seen a significant drop in attendance. Classic shows like The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King now cater largely to tourists rather than theater enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the West End, while still offering fresh creative work, struggles to find commercial success.

Renly's mind wandered for a moment, but he quickly refocused. "So, what Broadway project is it?"

Andre shrugged. "I haven't seen the proposal yet. I just heard about it. But I thought, if you're interested, it might be a good opportunity."

Renly smiled lightly, amused by Andre's hope. "I'm not omnipotent, you know," he said, understanding the situation. He may have been an expert in movies, but theater was a completely different world for him.

Andre laughed along, clearly not offended. "This isn't the Renly I know."