The Greatest Showman - Impromptu Duel
Cameron had interrupted his audition with a simple, casual remark; to make matters worse, every head turned, all eyes fixated on the unexpected moment between Cameron and Renly. It wasn't just the "Les Misérables" crew—other members of the West End theatre cast had also taken notice, as though an invisible spotlight had shifted, illuminating a scene far removed from Eddie's performance.
But here was the real problem: this stage belonged to him. The spotlight was his. The performance was in his hands. This was his moment. This was supposed to be the instant he proved himself, the chance to showcase his strength and secure his role. His lightning, his thunder, his brilliance—stolen from him in an instant.
The feeling was stifling, suffocating. It was awful.
Calm down. Eddie clenched his fists tightly. Years of aristocratic upbringing and etiquette training allowed him to suppress the flood of emotions surging within him. Slowly, he forced himself to refocus, to turn his attention back to his audition. This was his stage—he would not let himself be distracted by an amateur actor.
He began replaying "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" in his mind, summoning the emotions necessary for his performance.
Then, a sharp sound broke through the tension.
Clap. Clap. Two crisp claps echoed through the theater. All eyes turned toward the source of the sound. Eddie was no exception. In the aisle, he spotted Cameron making his way back to the front row where the "Les Misérables" staff had gathered. Renly, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Cameron's voice rang out, commanding attention. "Next, let's see the confrontation between Marius and Enjolras. The next five auditions will be structured this way—we want to see the sparks between them." His gaze swept the actors sitting behind him. "Those auditioning for Enjolras, line up now and proceed backstage in order."
Marius and Enjolras?
These two characters were revolutionary comrades, bound by shared ideals and unwavering convictions. Their friendship was forged in fire, their ambitions aligned. Yet Marius, having fallen in love with Cosette, found his fate diverging from Enjolras'. While Enjolras met a hero's end on the barricade, Marius, moments from death, was rescued by Jean Valjean and reunited with his beloved.
"Perform 'Red and Black.'" Cameron's voice pulled Eddie from his thoughts. "Eddie Redmayne?" He looked up, meeting Cameron's gaze. "We're making a last-minute change to the aria. You might need some time to prepare. If necessary, we can adjust the performance order—"
"No, I'm ready." Eddie interrupted before Cameron could finish. His voice was steady, firm. "I have no problem with any of Marius' arias." This was a fundamental expectation of a stage actor—to be prepared for any situation. Moreover, "Red and Black" was a much easier piece than "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables."
The aria took place in the ABC Café, where revolutionaries gathered to plan their next move. Marius, distracted by love at first sight, was mercilessly teased by his comrades. For a man who had previously dismissed romance, his newfound passion was almost laughable. Yet Marius did not deny it—he embraced it wholeheartedly.
"Red and Black" was less a battle of words and more a clash of energies, a contrast of ideologies.
Eddie lifted his head to ask who would be playing Enjolras alongside him. Before the words could leave his mouth, a familiar figure entered his periphery. Striding confidently onto the stage, a friendly smile gracing his lips, was Renly.
Eddie's pupils contracted slightly. Before he could react, Cameron's voice once again rang out from the audience. "This is Enjolras. Get ready."
A chuckle drifted over from Tom Hooper. "What's going on here? A last-minute pairing? This might not yield the best results."
"But it's the purest test of skill," Cameron countered impassively. "This is theatre, not a Hollywood soundstage."
The rest of the conversation faded into the background.
First, Eddie felt anger—once again, he was being compared to this man, as if Renly were a persistent shadow he couldn't shake. Then, shame—was he truly being placed on the same level as someone who had simply stumbled into the industry? Did they underestimate his talent, or overestimate Renly's? But soon, determination took hold. This was a stage, and the stage never lied. Skill would reveal itself. The gap between them would be unmistakable.
In an instant, his emotions surged. But just as quickly, he forced them into submission. This was an unexpected challenge, but also an opportunity. For an actor with weak foundations, this could be a nightmare. But for an actor with true strength, a crisis was the perfect chance to prove it.
More importantly—
Eddie looked at Renly, who seemed to sense the intensity in the air. Their gazes met. Renly smiled politely, nodding in greeting. Eddie forced himself to return the gesture, his lips curling slightly. Their silent exchange lasted only a moment before they both turned away.
The tension thickened, an unspoken challenge hanging between them.
Defeat him.
On this stage, in a head-to-head battle, he would defeat Renly with dignity. He would prove to every actor in London's West End that classically trained professionals were simply on another level. This would be the end of all comparisons, all debates. After today, there would be no doubt—he was the superior actor.
Eddie straightened his spine, lifting his chin. He began pacing, warming up, preparing his voice and emotions. Across from him, Renly stood still, rolling his shoulders, shaking out his limbs—his expression unreadable but utterly focused.
The air between them crackled with anticipation.
The staff moved efficiently, setting up additional tables and chairs to create the atmosphere of the ABC Café. The second half of the stage darkened, leaving a warm, cream-yellow glow illuminating the set. Layers of light created depth, pulling the audience into the world of the revolutionaries.
Both actors recognized the signal. It was time.
Eddie strode forward and took his seat, slipping seamlessly into the role of Marius. Renly, however, took a different approach. Instead of immediately assuming his position, he walked in slow, measured circles, adjusting his posture, his expression gradually shifting. It was a transformation—subtle but undeniable.
His chest lifted, shoulders squared, the fire in his gaze deep yet restrained. His every step exuded purpose, his demeanor embodying the unwavering spirit of Enjolras. His movements were controlled, deliberate, yet powerful. Without a single spoken word, his presence dominated the stage.
From the audience, Cameron and Tom exchanged glances. Setting aside Jean Valjean, there was no denying it—Renly captured the essence of Enjolras effortlessly. His youthful charm and aristocratic elegance blended seamlessly into the character.
Eddie, too, delivered a strong presence—his posture steady, his expression bright but uncertain. Love and doubt warred within his gaze. Yet, whether due to nerves or restraint, his emotions weren't fully unleashed. The raw passion was missing, if only slightly.
Still, his technique was undeniable. His training shone through.
Cameron raised his hand in a silent cue. The orchestra recording began to play. The sweeping symphony of "Red and Black" filled the theatre, signaling the beginning of an unforgettable performance.