A Perfect Match

"Have you any friend?" asked one of his teachers one day. At that time, "friend" means boyfriend or girlfriend in China.

"Yes, I have many." Replied Du, not quite got what she meant.

His teacher, asking that question, was about to introduce a girl to him—Wang Kui, the daughter of Ma Changli, above mentioned. Du felt a little bit surprised, and consulted his mother, who discouraged him by saying, "it is not a match, we are just farmers and her parents are artists."

But Miss Wang presented herself as an honest and thrifty girl. Besides, they two have quite a lot in common. They got married in 1985, and have got along well since.

A Disciplinary Teacher and Loving Father-in-Law

Du was getting famous as he had more chances to perform, and the Peking Opera Troupe in Beijing offered him a job when he was about to leave the institute. Fans frequented his performances, which were always marked by applauses and cheers.

Once, after his Wu Zixu, a historical play, was well received, he went back home, excited. But on entering home, he saw his parents-in-law sitting on the sofa with serious look.

"What did you perform today?" asked Ma, his father-in-law.

"Wu Zixu." Du answered.

"How do you feel?" Ma inquired again.

"Not bad, the audience applauded, it was quite an acceptance." was the reply.

"You know it is Wu Zixu you performed, but as far as I could hear, you were too passionate." Du was startled at these words," Each show has its own way to be expressed and its own feel. A performer should conform to the feature of each show." Thus Du realized he was applying the same aria to every opera.

Ma never allowed his son-in-law to learn from tapes, he hold the view that oral teaching inspires true understanding. Du Zhenjie was progressing quickly under his instructions, which helped him to win the golden award for the Grand TV Prize of Young Peking Opera Actors in 1987.

This father-in-law insisted on more training before Du playing the leading role in a major troupe, and, therefore, disapproved the offer from Beijing Youth Peking Opera Troupe," You are still fresh, and it is better to have us ‘old hand’ to give you more instructions." But Du has, at that time, been a good actor. His perfect illustration of Yang Silang in Looking Back My Home drew a large audience. When acting in that play, he was reminded of his own mother, waiting in the hometown for his return, and devoted his whole heart into the performance. His genuine tears, profound emotion, excellent gaits, and proper use of sounds displayed a vivid Yang Silang on stage.