Thunderstorm, Cai Wenji, Wu Zetian, Foreign Mahjong, The Visit, Death of a Salesman and more street plays during the Anti-Japanese War, you can tell those above names from the photos hung in good order on the wall of Zhu Lin’s home. Theatres of different periods meet together here like magic, and you will wonder how ruthless time flies or be amazed at the subtle relationship between individuals and history. Those still instants of an old actress outline the development history of Chinese theatre. In 1983, Zhu Lin acted as Linda, wife of the hero Willy Loman, in Death of a Salesman. The famous American playwright Arthur Miller was then invited to China as the director of this play. On the occasion of the new rehearsal of this famous play by Beijing People’s Art Theatre, Zhu Lin gave us a clear recollection of that legend. 

Reporter: What do you think of the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller? 

Zhu Lin: This play is a story of a salesman, Willy Loman, and his family. Its characteristic is that the leading actor is an ordinary person, which is quite rare at that time in the theatre production, especially in foreign production. When it was premiered in USA, it witnessed over 400 performances in succession. Critics called it “a time bomb buried underground in USA”. Why was it called “a time bomb”? Because it disclosed the tragic life and misfortune of lower class, and reflected the suffering and torment of the bottom people caused by the unfair and unreasonable society. Besides, it provided a successful description of Willy Loman. Actually, he is a man of charm and wit. 　  

Reporter: As a Chinese actress, how did you comprehend and interpret your role Linda as an American woman? 

Zhu Lin: I suppose that not a single actor or actress could explain to you clearly how he or she acted in the play. First of all, I like this role because Linda is a standard American housewife at the bottom of society, who is capable of everything and considerate in emotion. Miller once said to us, “Linda is such a capable woman that she will be appointed the director of an office if she works out”. When he was in Beijing, Miller wrote his diary every day. Based upon his diary, he published a book titled “Arthur Miller’s Note: Salesman in Beijing” soon after he returned home. As a result, when I visited USA, all the Americans call me Linda since they have no idea of my real name (Smile). 　　  

Reporter: Was Arthur Miller satisfied with the Linda you acted as well? 

Zhu Lin: In so many versions of Death of a Salesman all over the world, Miller praised me as one of the best.   

Reporter: Do you still remember your cooperation with Arthur Miller? 

Zhu Lin: At that time, I felt that it took him hardly efforts to rehearse this play now that we all presented good acting. Of course we had some debates sometimes. I was prone to shed tears in acting, so he advised me not to waste my tears. I would explain my points in doing so, which was recorded in his later book. He joked in his book that he almost lost that debate with me (Smile). 　  

Reporter: Why couldn’t you help shedding tears in acting Linda? 

Zhu Lin: During acting, I am easy to be touched, which I suppose to be an important feature of an actress. In my opinion, Linda was very angry with her two sons in her heart. There was a long line of her reprimanding her sons. It was excellent and I read it pretty well. This part is my major part. Linda was then so painful, and told them that for the household sake their father had to commute 700 miles every day to make a living. Although he made his painstaking efforts, he had nothing at hand. At the end of this play, I couldn’t help weeping. Miller recognized my feelings. He told me that it was a perfect crying but I can save some tears in the rest. I also accept his suggestion (Smile).  

Zhu Lin in acting of Death of a Salesman

Reporter: How do you like the cooperation with Arthur Miller, a foreign artist? 

Zhu Lin: We had a pleasant cooperation. Miller was initially surprised because Chinese actors and actresses’ comprehension and acting were so wonderful, which might be far beyond his expectation. When he published his book, he invited me and Mr. Zhu Xu (who acted as Charley in the 1983 version) to USA where I read my line of reprimanding sons. I thought my part quite good in acting, but I insist that all the success be attributed to his perfect screenplay. Without his works, it would be impossible for me to act Linda. 

Later when I visited USA, Arthur and his wife gave me a warm reception. As his wife desired visiting China, she asked me to find opportunity to visit China. That is also our concern, so we said to Arthur, “We all miss you very much and look forward to next cooperation with you in China. Moreover, we welcome you to have a tour in China as well.” However, Arthur told me that he was too old to fly such a long way. 

Zhu Lin in Arthur Miller’s Eyes 

As far as I know, Zhu Lin is a superstar in Chinese theatre, but she never put on airs. She wears an ordinary blue jacket with button up to neck and casual pants. She looks serious as if she would cry next second, but she will laugh instantly. (March 21, 1983) 

Gazing at her eyes, I was reassured—because good actor or actress will always make the director reassured. She beamed with the charm of wisdom, or what somebody called wit. She fully understood that a good actress should accurately control a kind of feeling. She was so experienced that she realized her previous acting is not enough to gain audience’s sympathy. Now I was a bit afraid that this bright lady will win over me, which would make me embarrassed. (March 24, 1983) 

I embraced her with all my strength and kissed her again. Without any soft or tender whispers, she became the very Linda in my mind. I think it was a success. More excitingly, the others shared my viewpoints. In this way, they will find their distance to their roles in a more effective way than I could instruct. (March 31, 1983) 

Zhu Lin was so great! She made a further adaptation in acting. When she knew her husband suspended his trip back home, she appeared terrified and uneasy. Furthermore, her acting has no more signs of catering to the taste of audience. (April 12, 1983)