The Greatest Showman #1283 - Enthusiasm Rekindled

Gurgling, gurgling... The blood is boiling, the mind is buzzing, and the soul's longing begins to awaken. Blissful satisfaction fills the chest, and an impulsive hunger—no, thirst—surges through the body. His feet and hands feel the true solidity of the stage beneath him.

The emotion is so intense that it fills the very core of his being, making his soul ache.

His vision blurs.

In that moment of realization, all the sensations return to his body. The outline of the trophy in his hand sharpens. It is a symbol—a physical manifestation of the artistic legacy of Lawrence Olivier, a man who pushed performance to its extremes and left a deep, indelible mark on the history of the arts. The Olivier Award is coveted not for the trophy itself, but for the vitality and artistic potential it represents.

A soft smile tugs at the corner of Renly's mouth, rising cheerfully and brightly, before it settles in his eyes, reflecting the light of his tears. He can hear it now—the call. The restlessness, the cheer, the roar of the crowd.

Looking out at the standing audience, the sea of faces hidden in the warm, golden light, the waves of applause ripple outward. In this moment, standing before history, Renly feels small, humbled, and awed by the grand scope of it all.

He knows—this is history. He is blazing his own trail.

Yet the Olivier Award is not the end, but rather, a new beginning. This magical journey is far from over. Tonight marks not the culmination, but the spark of something far more immense. After this moment, Renly will regroup, set out once again, and march towards a unique future that only he can craft. As never before, he feels that this journey is his to own—not Chu Jiashu's, but Renly Hall's.

"Thank you." His voice rings out over the microphone.

It is not joy, not excitement, not even exhilaration. It is vivid—alive.

A burst of vitality surges within him, like a spring bud bursting open, stretching toward the golden sunshine, the green forests, the blue oceans, and the vast, mysterious universe.

When many might believe Renly is at the pinnacle, for him, his journey has only just begun. The strength of his artistic vitality ripples quietly in his bright, focused eyes.

"I'm not sure if it was John Codd's vote that made the difference, but here I am," Renly begins, causing a quiet chuckle to ripple through the room. His lighthearted words hint that his victory may have been fueled by the self-vote of the "Les Miserables" crew, who helped him edge out three worthy competitors.

It is a playful mockery of himself and a compliment to his peers—a beautiful balance of humility and wisdom, confidence and grace.

Michael Ball is the first to applaud, followed by Tom Chambers, both showing admiration. In the long history of theater, only the victors are often remembered, but those who contribute to history—like Tom, Michael, and Renly—are part of a miracle in itself.

Renly's gaze turns to the trophy in his hand. A smile blooms across his face, his eyes reflecting the light like a river of crystal, filled with stars. He speaks again, his words brimming with warmth and sincerity. "I know there are some... important things happening right now, but I'm not here to make any comments..."

The audience erupts in laughter.

Clearly, Renly is referring to the recent buzz about his EGOT aspirations, but his carefree tone shows how much he has grown and how different this moment feels.

"...But standing here tonight, I must thank someone." He pauses, and the applause rises again. "John Codd—thank you!"

John Codd, Renly's mentor and the director of Les Miserables, has shaped him into the artist standing on that stage.

"John, thank you for introducing me to acting and helping me understand what it truly means. Thank you for believing in me and entrusting me with the role of Jean Valjean—giving me the opportunity to step on this stage and express myself fully."

Renly's voice falters as he chokes up with emotion. His hand tightens around the trophy, feeling its contours and edges. The reality of the moment sinks in, and his emotions spill out, unchecked.

"The most important thing, John, is that you made me truly believe that dreams can come true. So... thank you." His voice wavers with sincerity as he repeats the words, struggling to find anything more fitting.

John, standing below, watches Renly with eyes glistening with pride. He has always known this day would come, the day when Renly's hard work and dedication would be recognized. But this is just the beginning. John believes in Renly's boundless potential, and he stands tall, proud, chin raised, honoring not only Renly's achievements but his own as well.

Renly, standing on the stage, finally finds a moment of stillness. Though this is not his first acceptance speech, the experience remains just as overwhelming.

Thoughts swirl in his mind, chaotic and unorganized, like a lump of paste. The cream-yellow lights warm his skin, and his vision becomes fuzzy as he speaks.

"Before my debut on stage, I had a moment of panic," Renly admits with a self-deprecating laugh. "I wondered if I could really pull off Jean Valjean. Could I meet the audience's expectations? Could I conquer those tough critics?"

The room bursts into knowing laughter, a cheer for Renly's honesty. Everyone understands the frustration with critics.

Renly chuckles again, recalling, "I locked myself in the bathroom—it was definitely not the best place for self-reflection." His complaint is followed by more laughter, as the entire theater shifts into an atmosphere of shared joy.

"When the panic reached its peak, I threw off all my burdens," he continues, his voice light but full of conviction. "I told myself I didn't care about the critics or the audience. I was doing it for myself, just because I loved it. Yes, my friends in the audience, on the opening night, I didn't care about you at all."

The audience roars with laughter, and many stand in applause.

Renly grips the trophy tightly, its weight grounding him once more. "At the beginning, because of love and dedication, everything was simple and pure. That's what made the performance powerful and fun. That's how I felt on the first night of the premiere."

"It's the same now," he says with a deep sigh. "Standing here, I'm reminded of how I fell in love with acting and began my journey. Thank God I am an actor."

Renly's simple words—so genuine—touch everyone's heart.

While others focus on fame, glory, and the public eye, Renly has come back to the core of it all: a love for acting. He stands before the world as an artist, living in and for the moment, embracing the artistry that flows through his veins.

"Thank you," Renly says once more.

A thousand words cannot express the weight contained in those two simple words.

Thank you to John Codd, thank you to Les Miserables, thank you to the London Drama Society, thank you to the Olivier Award… and thank you for this stolen second life that allows Renly Hall to chase his dream and shine brightly.

With grace, Renly turns, holding the trophy before him. He nods solemnly, a perfect image of elegance, as he exits the stage. The audience, overwhelmed by emotion, erupts into a final, thunderous applause.

Not only did they witness history, but they also experienced the raw, powerful humanity of an actor reborn.

Thank God, Renly is an actor.