On February 16, 1930, Mei Lanfang made a public performance at America's Broadway 49th Street Theatre. This was a Chinese Peking Opera actor's first appearance on an American stage. Seventy years later, director Chen Kaige replicates that year's grand occasion at the Shanghai Concert Hall.
In order to look like Lanfang, Leon purposely put on weight, so his face looks more rounded to appear like Lanfang. From the start of Leon accepting the role, there were nonstop criticisms of him. However, Leon worked very hard. Not only did he trained Peking Opera everyday, Mei Bao Jiu was invited to personally give him instructions and demonstrations. Leon placed extreme importance on his appearance, so he bought a hand care machine. Each day he did 3 hours of hand care treatment, so he could have a pair of delicate hands like the female characters of Peking Opera.
Yesterday's filming was about Lanfang performing in America and returning onstage for his curtain call, and shots of a standing ovation from the audience offstage. Unfortunately, Leon did not appear in his Peking Opera costume but in a tuxedo. Filming at the Shanghai Concert Hall will conclude tomorrow. To assure filming will be completed within three days, the production crew did not hesitate to spend a seven-figure sum to reserve the Concert Hall.