革命的文艺战士最大的幸福,莫过于能为伟大的领袖和导师毛主席演出;最崇高的荣誉,莫过于毛主席对演出的称赞。我们南京部队政治部话剧团(原前线话剧团)就曾经历过这幸福的时刻,享受过这崇高的荣誉。在纪念伟大的领袖毛主席逝世一周年的时候,我们怎能不深切地追思那难忘的一天。一九六三年的春天,我们团奉命赴京演出新创作的话剧《霓虹灯下的哨兵》。这出反映现实阶级斗争生活的话剧在首都舞台上一出现,就受到敬爱的周总理热情的扶植、充分的肯定。周总理在百忙中,前后七次观看我们的演出,对剧本、表导演作了许多宝贵的指示。在周总理的亲切关怀下,我们的演出在思想上和艺术上都有了明显的提高。随后,我们敬爱的朱德委员长、叶剑英副主席、邓小平副主席以及康生同志、陈毅同志、贺龙同志都观看了这出戏,老一辈无产阶级革命家无不热情地鼓励我们。那时,全团同志都有一个共同的心愿:什么时候能向毛主席汇报,为毛主席演出啊!我们日夜盼 The greatest happiness of a revolutionary literary warrior is to perform for Chairman Mao, the great leader and mentor; the highest honor is none other than Chairman Mao’s praise of the performance. We Nanjing Army Political Department Repertory Theater (former frontline theater) had experienced this moment of happiness, enjoyed this lofty honor. How can we not unremittingly remember the unforgettable day when we mark the first anniversary of Chairman Mao’s death, the great leader? In the spring of 1963, our mission was commissioned to go to Beijing to perform the newly created drama Sentinel Under the Neon Lights. This drama, which reflects the actual class struggle life, appeared on the stage of the capital and was fully affirmed by the beloved Premier Zhou’s enthusiasm. During his busy schedule, Premier Chou watched our performance seven times and gave many valuable instructions to the script and table director. With the cordial concern of Premier Zhou, our performance has been significantly improved both ideologically and artistically. Subsequently, our beloved deputies Zhu De, Ye Jianying, Deng Xiaoping, Comrade Kang Sheng, Comrade Chen Yi and Comrade He Long watched the play, and the proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation all enthusiastically encouraged us. At that time, all the comrades in the entire league had a common wish: When can we report to Chairman Mao and perform for Chairman Mao!