The Greatest Showman - Chapter 788: Challenge Opportunity

Seven hundred and fifty-five challenge opportunities.

There was a hint of helplessness in the frankness, which made Renly chuckle involuntarily. He had to lower his gaze to hide his smile before looking at Andy again. "First of all, I can get the chance to audition. I'll give John a call later to exchange information on this, but whether or not I get selected depends entirely on my performance."

Circling back to John Codd after all this effort to work on a theatrical project was truly unexpected.

Renly could understand Andy's frustration. Drama wasn't Andy's forte, and despite all the effort, it seemed that everything had come full circle with minimal tangible results. The sense of futility was inevitable. Andy nodded in agreement—getting back on stage was no easy feat.

"However, your work is far from over. Negotiations regarding remuneration, performance schedules, promotional plans, and even the potential transition to Hollywood all require an agent's expertise. The details of how the show will land in Hollywood and the collaboration methods involved will be crucial. These tasks are tedious and require professional skills. Without an agent, actors must rely on the union for protection."

Renly continued, "Emma Fiding is a tough manager, but her boundaries are clear—it's all about the work. Under her leadership, the Almeida Theatre has been the most dynamic theatre in London's West End over the past few years."

Andy listened carefully. If he had to investigate on his own, gathering this kind of inside information would take significant effort. More importantly, Renly's familiarity with the West End scene was evidently far deeper than he had let on. Until now, Andy had underestimated Renly's connections in the London theatre world. If he had only kept his sights on Broadway, he might never have uncovered this side of Renly.

"Secondly, I'm just a nobody in the West End, especially in Europe." Renly's lips curled into a smile, though his eyes remained sincere. "Andy, I'm only twenty-two years old, and I've been rolling around the West End for just a year. Before 'The Pacific,' no one in the art world—whether in America or Europe—knew my name."

Renly deliberately emphasized art world, distinguishing it from the general public's awareness.

"However, if you talk to Emma and John, they might reveal some of my secrets." He added playfully, "Shh, remember to keep it confidential."

Andy remained silent, deep in thought.

Renly was right. At just twenty-two, his name wasn't prominent in the West End. But at the same time, as Renly's home turf, the West End wasn't completely unfamiliar with him. His academic background was noteworthy, and perhaps, after their trip to Berlin, there could be an opportunity to leverage it further.

Putting that thought aside, Andy refocused on Renly. "So, are you all set for Les Misérables?" Tonight's trip to the Almeida Theatre had been primarily about securing an audition opportunity for Renly, but now, that concern seemed unnecessary. Renly had it under control. Andy's priorities had suddenly shifted—he needed to start strategizing for Berlin.

"Yes, leave the audition to me." Renly replied with ease.

As one of the most classic musicals, Les Misérables was different from Shakespeare's plays like Hamlet or Macbeth. Unlike pure dramas, Les Misérables demanded excellence in acting, vocal performance, and stage presence. Shakespearean plays focused heavily on the mastery of lines, especially his intricate and poetic sonnets. Both genres required immense skill, but neither was easier than the other.

The challenge of Les Misérables lay in the weight of its legacy. Over the years, only the 1985 West End production and the 1987 Broadway version had received critical acclaim, with subsequent adaptations struggling to live up to their predecessors. In London, later productions only managed to win the audience's favorite awards, while in Broadway's 2006 revival, it received three nominations but walked away empty-handed.

It was easy to stage Les Misérables, but difficult to create a truly outstanding adaptation that honored its roots. The expectations for actors were even higher—veteran audiences knew every line, every emotional shift, and any slight misstep could be a fatal flaw.

Even among contemporary plays, Shakespearean works were considered the pinnacle of an actor's craft. Only a few other plays could rival their difficulty, and Les Misérables was one of them.

For Renly, the opportunity to take on Les Misérables was a rare and thrilling challenge. Three years ago, he had turned down an offer to play Hamlet—a decision he had always regretted. Now, he had another chance, and this time, he had no intention of letting it slip away.

"The movie version—you should also submit an audition tape," Andy suggested. "It's just an audition, after all. There's no harm in trying."

Andy was worried that after securing the theatrical audition, Renly might disregard the film opportunity. But to his surprise, Renly smiled and responded without hesitation, "Okay, I got it."

Andy narrowed his eyes skeptically. Renly had always been deliberate with his choices, never one to act impulsively. Yet, today, Andy sensed an unfamiliar side of him.

The flicker of curiosity in Andy's gaze made Renly chuckle. "Relax. Whether it's the movie or the stage, it's still Les Misérables." He explained, "At the audition stage, the material and skills required for both versions are nearly identical. I'll submit the same audition tape for both—it's just a matter of convenience. Later, if I receive offers for both, that's when a real decision has to be made. There's no rush."

Andy shook his head with a small smile. "Before I meet with Emma and John, are you sure there's nothing else you want to add?"

Renly smirked. Instead of answering, he stood up. "You'd better get going. Rush hour in London is about to hit, and you don't want to be stuck in traffic."

With that, Renly retreated into his room to begin his daily training. Even during the intense filming schedule for Edge of Tomorrow, he remained committed to refining his martial arts skills—something he had learned at Liu's Martial Arts Academy. He knew that improvement was a slow process, but with persistence, the progress was starting to show.

Andy and Roy exchanged glances. Roy shrugged and chuckled. "Head back to London first. If there's anything urgent, we'll call you."

Andy smiled. "If I recall correctly, you and Renly are on the same side, right?" The manager-actor relationship was a close one, but ultimately, managers had to consider what was best for their clients.

Roy was unfazed. "When our goals align, we're on the same side."

Andy nodded approvingly. "Call me tonight."

After dinner, Roy got back to work. The Grammy discussions needed to be wrapped up quickly. Hours passed, and by the time he checked the clock, it was already 9:30 PM. Andy was likely in the middle of watching Macbeth by now. Roy wondered if his post-show negotiations had gone smoothly.

Curious, he walked towards Renly's room and knocked before stepping inside. He found Nathan adjusting a camera.

"Are you sure? The lighting here isn't great. Maybe we should wait until morning? You're free then, right?" Nathan suggested.

"What's he filming?" Roy asked.

Renly, standing in the center of the cleared-out space, replied, "An audition tape."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Already? Andy just left a few hours ago."

Renly grinned. "An audition tape isn't a one-take deal. With my packed schedule, the sooner we start, the better. I want to get a version I'm satisfied with."

Roy chuckled, shaking his head. "You really don't waste any time, do you?"