"Don't call me teacher, just call me Xianyu Qiang."
At the beginning of 2024, Jordan Chan made his mainland musical debut, starring in the musical "The Young Lion" as the reincarnated former lion king Xian Fish is strong. He learned lion dance with a group of young people born in 1995 and challenged the plum blossom pile.
Although he has been an artist for more than 40 years, this is his first time to see an audience on a mainland musical stage. Jordan Chan treats himself as a newcomer, puts aside all work, and devotes himself entirely to rehearsals. When he first joined the group, he found that everyone always called him "teacher" respectfully, but this was not going to work anymore. "You can't build relationships on stage when acting as a rival." He who was reticent in life became active and greeted everyone enthusiastically as soon as he entered the rehearsal hall every day, "Morning!" When there was no rehearsal the next day, he would organize a dinner party and invite everyone to sing KTV together, and soon he and the young people People mingle together.
Chen Xiaochun found it very fresh and fun to perform a musical with young people. Young actors, on the other hand, see the professionalism of veteran Hong Kong stars in him. Jordan Chan’s diligence is engraved in his bones. He comes to the scene in advance to prepare every day, diligently practices his Mandarin lines, and repeatedly discusses the role with the actors in the same cast. “Often everyone feels that It was perfect, but he still asked to do it again, do it again," said the cast and crew. The stage is an art of time, and Jordan Chan deeply understands this, "You have to keep practicing, practicing, practicing." Even if it is not time for his own rehearsal, he will arrive early to observe other actors rehearsing.
With a head of instant noodle curly hair, stretching, talking in Hong Kong, and walking in a carefree manner, Jordan Chan made the audience laugh as soon as he appeared on the stage, "Isn't this just a salted fish with strong roots!" Entering the theater to get closer When watching Chen Xiaochun perform in a musical, the audience had the mentality of watching a star, but they were surprised by his live performance. Unexpectedly, he was born in the 50s and danced the lion very vigorously, and he was not inferior to the young people at all. , acting and singing skills are of course not to mention, "Brother Chun really has a show in every look" "Brother Xiaochun really has two brushes!"
After finishing a meeting and a group interview with the media, Chen Xiaochun rushed over to accept the interview without stopping. In an exclusive interview with our reporter, he heard that he could speak Cantonese. After speaking Mandarin for an afternoon, he seemed to have been released from the seal and became happy. However, while chatting, he would unconsciously pop out a Mandarin sentence. He practices Mandarin lines every day. Muscle memory has been formed.
He doesn't know how to speak politely and is very polite. When communicating with others, Jordan Chan is always simple and direct. Looking back on the past, the hardships in his youth have cultivated his spirit of not being afraid of hardship or tiredness, "Bitter? No bitter, many people have suffered through you. Bitter first and then sweet, it's good. Now that I have a wife and two children, I am content." "
Xianyu Qiang
"I look like a loser like him, but in fact I have some talent"
Nandu Entertainment: What was the opportunity for you to participate in the musical "The Young Lion"?
Jordan Chan: In 2022, I participated in the variety show "Beyond the Troubles", and the last program I performed was the song "Don't bully the poor when you are young" from the movie "The Lion". In order to schedule that program, we went to see this movie. I finally thought, wow! Awesome! Lat Zai Lat Zai! (Applause) I didn’t expect that cartoons could be so well done, so stylish, and incorporate traditional Chinese culture into the movie. We also grew up watching lion dances, and it (feels) very friendly. We found many related elements from the movie and put them into the performance, and also interspersed some text elements. After
finished the variety show, he received an invitation from the musical "The Young Lion" in early 2023. "Should I do it?" "Do it! I must do it!" He agreed without hesitation.
Nandu Entertainment: What impressed you most about the movie "The Young Lion"?
Jordan Chan: I think it is something passionate and passionate like lion dance. After watching it, my hair stood on end. We added a lot of stories about Ajuan and his parents in the musical. He hasn’t seen his parents in several years, and he seems to be a very miserable child. It reminds me of when I was a child, and the environment was not that good. I feel the same way. .
The character of Xianyu Qiang is very interesting and funny, and the musical also enriches the content of Xianyu Qiang and his wife.
Nandu Entertainment: Did you know anything about lion dance before participating in the show? Have you ever seen a lion awakening before? What are your impressions?
Jordan Chan: We have always heard the sound of lion dance since we were young, such as the opening of new stores, Chinese New Year and festivals, which are usually festive. When we are happy, there will be lion dance, and lion dance is (meaning) to us. lucky. But performing lion dance on stage is not an easy task.
Nandu Entertainment: Is the real lion dance much different from what you imagined?
Jordan Chan: I am OK with because I have done action scenes before and I learned quickly. Other actors in the play, such as those who play A-Juan, A-Mao, and A-Gou, have never been exposed to this kind of action scenes before. They need to learn it well within a month or two, especially when we need to dance plum blossom piles. If they make a mistake, they may fall down, which makes them very worried.
Nandu Entertainment: Some people describe you as Xianyu Qiang. What do you think are the similarities between you and Xianyu Qiang?
Jordan Chan: The thing that resembles Xianyuqiang and me is that we both look useless and have little material, but in fact we do have some. During the rehearsal process, we will slowly find some of Xianyuqiang’s qualities, and You can use your own performance methods to immerse yourself in the world of Xianyuqiang, such as some exaggerated movements and expressions, "Oh, my wife is here!" (make a frightened gesture). In addition, I also joined the group in advance, so I could get to know everyone early, get familiar with dialogue, practice Mandarin, and practice singing. They were all majoring in musicals. I was born in red pants, so I grew up while learning and singing. During this time, I also learned from them. We learned from each other and it was very fun. I didn’t feel it was hard. I come very early every day. They said you haven’t played your part yet, so you don’t have to come so early. I don’t know what to do in the hotel. Come back early to absorb their nutrients, feel the atmosphere, and maybe you can learn something by watching them rehearse. , I enjoyed this process very much and found it very fun. At first they would call me teacher, "Don't call me Teacher Xiaochun, just call me Xianyuqiang." Now, everyone has become one.
Nandu Entertainment: When you visited the class before, you said that the most important thing is to cultivate a tacit understanding with everyone, so how do you usually cultivate feelings and tacit understanding?
Jordan Chan: We meet every day and have dinner together. For example, we have a day off tomorrow and finish work tonight. "Why don't we have dinner together?" I often organize meals. In fact, everyone also wants to build a relationship. It’s not about building it on stage. I have to come early, create with everyone, and be familiar with all the processes. This process has enriched me a lot in the play. If I don’t do this, I ( Also) dare not (relax).
Nandu Entertainment: Share your favorite scene in the play and your favorite aria.
Jordan Chan: I like many scenes in very much, because the songs composed by Mr. Gao Shizhang (applause) of this musical are very nice, and every song is very nice, very musical. I have loved watching musicals since I was a child, and I would buy tickets to watch musicals when I went abroad. Even though I couldn’t understand them, I would be very happy if I were asked to go on stage and speak a few lines of dialogue one day. For example, my solo song "People Are Still Here" and another song called "Enough" mainly talk about the process of parents watching their children grow up. There are many fantasy scenes. The children who grow up are the same as the children when they were young. Frame, I am the one standing inside watching these changes. Including "One Pillar Holds the Sky". When I first received this song, I found it very difficult to sing. I have been practicing it and it still doesn't sound very good (humble), but it is much better than when I first came into contact with it. Slowly Slowness became muscle memory, and I wouldn’t normally sing this type of song.
Nandu Entertainment: I can see that you are very happy.
Jordan Chan: I’m happy, I didn’t do this just for the sake of making money. I have done two musicals before, one is “Broadcast Lover” and the other is “Midsummer Night’s Rhapsody”. That was 20 years ago. After many years, someone suddenly asks you to do a musical again. No matter how much it costs, everyone knows (the situation of the stage play).In addition, I also want to see what the behind-the-scenes production of mainland musicals is like, learn from it, and see what possibilities arise. For example, if I want to have a concert in the future and I don’t want to play the traditional concert model, see if there is any possibility. Combined with some gameplay, such as a concert in Wan Chai, rewriting a new script, you can also use this (musical) mode, rewriting songs, re-arranging, it is a very fresh thing, one has never played it before This is a concert format that I have never tried before, but it sounds very attractive, and everyone who participates will be happy.
Nandu Entertainment: What other feelings do you have, such as the young people working together in musicals?
Jordan Chan: They are all young people who were born in 1994, 1991, and 2000. There are also one or two who were born in 1988 and 1989. They are already called old artists. Are you scared? what about me? The whole crew has a lot of youthful atmosphere and everyone is very energetic. It is good for me to absorb these nutrients.
Nandu Entertainment: In the last interview, Guo Hongxu, who played Ajuan, said that you were his idol.
Jordan Chan: Don't talk about this in . I also went to KTV with them several times to sing. They said Brother Chun, you sing your own songs. I said I won't sing my own songs anymore. It's very embarrassing and weird. I can ask you for other songs. Sing with you, they said, then I will sing to you, good, good, and very happy. The three A-Juans are all different styles, have different voices, and the A-Juan they perform are also different, each with its own characteristics.
Musical
"It wouldn't be fun if you weren't nervous"
Nandu Entertainment: Is there any difference between acting in a musical and film and television?
Jordan Chan: Both are difficult, but musicals don’t have ng. You can’t say I’m sorry I sang the wrong song and try it again. It won’t work. For a movie, you go back to editing, scoring, etc., but musical is a live thing, and you won't get it if you get it right or miss it. (You need to) rely on daily training-practice-training-practice. If you practice for an extra hour, your stage presentation will be better. It will be different and you can’t fool anyone. Fortunately, I have been on stage since I was very young, whether it was dancing, singing, musicals, or performances. Of course, I also have a little stage fright, but I have been on the stage for almost 40 years. (There are) so many years. The accumulated experience, this time is more fun.
Nandu Entertainment: So you won’t be nervous?
Jordan Chan: will make you more or less nervous. It’s impossible not to be nervous. If you’re not nervous, it won’t be fun. It’s too relaxed. You have to be a little trembling. It doesn’t matter. Nervousness means being nervous. If you can transform your nervousness into strength on stage, then (The play) is much better. I have been thinking about what I will do during the curtain call. I will definitely cry like a pig's head. I am also looking forward to crying on the stage.
Nandu Entertainment: What do you think is the charm of musicals?
Jordan Chan: I have been exposed to the charm of for decades. When I was young, I danced on stage and toured the United States, Europe and other parts of the world. I also went to see some local musicals. Although I couldn’t understand English, I felt that It’s quite beautiful, and I’m wondering, how did you come up with those rhythm and stage changes? You don’t need to know what they are talking about at the scene. You can know what they are talking about from their performance. This is the magic of performance.
Nandu Entertainment: What other unforgettable things happened during the rehearsal process?
Jordan Chan: When I first rehearsed , I really didn’t know how to start. To sing a song, you need to find a point of support, but it cannot be performed in the same way as singing pop songs. The habit of singing pop songs must be changed. Used in musicals. A month or two after joining the group, I am very grateful to Li Qiumeng. He also plays Salty Fish Strong. Fortunately, he is here and we discuss this character together. Without him, I really don’t know what I would do. We have become very good friends now. .
Nandu Entertainment: Watching variety shows feels very different from your film and television image. What kind of person are you in life? Will he be more introverted?
Jordan Chan: I think I am not a talkative person, I am quite boring.
Nandu Entertainment: When talking to you, I feel that you are not boring at all, you are very lively.
Jordan Chan: I may have gotten used to it. After working in such an atmosphere for thirty or forty years, it may be natural for me to express myself in front of the camera. I talk very little in life. My thoughts are now on my family. My two sons and Wife.
Nandu Entertainment: I saw previous reports. Privately, you don’t really like others paying attention to you, do you?
Chen Xiaochun: It is best not to let people know that I am here, because I don’t know how to respond. Everyone calls Xiaochun brother, and I don’t look at them, so I just lower my head and say “hello”.
Outlook on life
"Content is very important, there is nothing to compare with"
Nandu Entertainment: From working part-time jobs as a teenager, to joining TVB, to struggling in the entertainment industry for decades, looking back on these experiences, do you feel it is very painful? , how have these experiences sharpened your will? What did it bring you?
Chen Xiaochun: is bitter, but I didn’t feel bitter when I was a child. I went out to work when I was twelve or thirteen years old, and it has been nearly forty years now. It’s bitter first and then sweet. It’s pretty good. When it comes to bitterness, there are many people who are bitter than you. When I was a child, the environment at home was not good. If there were any problems, I would live like this. Although it was difficult in the past and the living conditions were not good, things are getting better now. As a father, I have a wife and two sons, and I am already satisfied. I think it is very important to be content. There is nothing to compare with. I am a group of people who have experienced the golden age of Hong Kong's entertainment industry. I started dancing in 1985. I don't know if it is considered a training, but I have grown up after experiencing that era. I think people should learn to be content. I will not compare with others. If you have something to do, just do your current job well. Just like I am scheduled to be interviewed by you today, I will do the interview seriously. As for what to edit the film into In this way, I don’t know. I don’t think too much and just say whatever comes to mind.
Nandu Entertainment: I heard everyone said that you rehearse very diligently.
Jordan Chan: Yes, according to the original schedule, I was going to attend the wedding of two friends at this time, but I didn’t go. I planned to go skiing with my son, but I didn’t go. In order to rehearse this play, I stayed in Guangzhou to rehearse. Don’t think too much. In short, I concentrated on rehearsing this play, which is more practical.
Nandu Entertainment: After acting for so many years, will you ever experience a period of burnout?
Jordan Chan: There will definitely be some . It feels very fresh to perform in a musical this time. They are all young people. It’s fun, how great, and happy. The whole team is full of youthfulness, so there will be no burnout period. .
Nandu Entertainment: When talking about Jordan Chan, many people’s first reaction is Young and Dangerous and Wei Xiaobao. Why do you think so many people miss old Hong Kong movies?
Jordan Chan: I am very grateful to the world established by my predecessors. Whether it is film, television or music, the world is really big. I used to be a backup dancer and traveled around the world with Anita Mui, Leslie (Leslie Leslie), Luo Wen, and Alan Tam. Wow, Duo Weishui, a group of forty or fifty people, including a band, backup dancers, managers, and makeup artists, toured the United States, Canada, Europe and other places, (because of) that era It is because these seniors have promoted good works to all over the world that so many people like Hong Kong movies and Cantonese songs, making these works classics.
Nandu Entertainment: Will you miss your family after working for a while?
Jordan Chan: Of course you can do , how can you not worry about it, but "Even if there are all kinds of reasons to give up, only one is enough to persist" (line in the play). In the past, I could only make phone calls, and before that I could only write letters. Now communication is very convenient, with video calls. Watching him say "Daddy misses you, you also miss me" is very satisfying and can sustain the energy for the whole day. Without such easy communication, I think I might cry.
Nandu Entertainment: What changes do you think your family has brought to you?
Jordan Chan: I have been married for more than ten years. My eldest son is 10 years old and my younger son is over 3 years old. I wonder if I would have had more time to enjoy the process if I had gotten married earlier? I now have a family, I am very comfortable and happy. If they are happy, I will be happy too. What I want now is different from before. As long as they smile, hard work? It’s not hard, just laugh and be happy.
Nandu Entertainment: What do you hope your children will look like in the future?
Jordan Chan: Of course hopes he can get ahead, but what if he can’t? To be a kind and responsible person, I think kindness is a very important quality, and kindness includes filial piety. I once said that I hope my son will grow up to be a doctor. Being a doctor can save people. With the blessings gained from cultivating in several lifetimes, saving people will be so powerful. But it doesn’t mean that I can do whatever I want. I have to respect his personal wishes. The most basic thing is to be kind. Being kind will win.
Quick Questions and Answers
q: What is your biggest feeling about playing "Young Lion"?
a: Happy.
q: Recommend why the audience should come to see the musical "Little Lion"?
a: passionate.
q: Is it more difficult to act in a musical or in a movie?
a: It’s all difficult.
q: Please describe yourself in three words.
a: handsome boy, handsome boy, handsome boy.
q: What do you think is your greatest strength?
a: handsome boy.
q: What about the disadvantages?
a: Still a little bit handsome.
q: What talent do you most wish you had?
a: invisible.
q: Is there any type of role that you particularly aspire to?
a: Musical director.
q: What do you think you would be doing if you weren't an actor?
a: Maybe you are still dancing, or teaching people to dance.
q: It feels like your appearance has not changed much. How do you maintain it?
a: Maybe it’s because you have something to do all the time, and your mentality is very important.
q: What do you think is the greatest gain in life?
a: Wife and son.
q: What is the order of family status?
a: Wife, son, son, me.
q: Tell me your favorite Guangzhou food.
a: rice rolls.
q: Are there any plans to hold concerts in the future?
a: There will be, but we may think of some new concert formats.
Written by: Nandu reporter Li Chunhua
Photo_provided by the interviewee, Guangzhou Grand Theater Xia Dong
