清(qing)(qing)(qing)乾隆年(nian)(nian)間,贛江下游的(de)南(nan)昌(chang)地區,以(yi)及贛江主(zhu)支流"西(xi)(xi)河(he)"流域的(de)永修、德(de)安(an)、九(jiu)江、星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)等(deng)(deng)縣(xian)(xian),是弋陽腔、宜黃(huang)腔、青(qing)陽腔和(he)湖北漢劇(ju)頻繁活(huo)動的(de)地區。清(qing)(qing)(qing)嘉慶(qing)年(nian)(nian)間,諸腔合流,首先在南(nan)昌(chang)形(xing)成一種亂彈班(ban)(ban)(ban),影響甚廣。清(qing)(qing)(qing)道光(guang)年(nian)(nian)間,著名藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)湯(tang)大(da)(da)樂(今(jin)德(de)安(an)縣(xian)(xian)高塘(tang)人(ren)(ren)(ren),1801年(nian)(nian)生(sheng)(sheng)),先后(hou)(hou)在南(nan)昌(chang)的(de)亂彈班(ban)(ban)(ban)和(he)漢口的(de)漢劇(ju)班(ban)(ban)(ban)唱(chang)戲(xi),后(hou)(hou)載(zai)譽(yu)歸(gui)鄉,與其兄湯(tang)大(da)(da)榮一起(qi),在老家湯(tang)家坂組(zu)織湯(tang)家戲(xi)班(ban)(ban)(ban),排演黃(huang)皮(pi)戲(xi)。湯(tang)大(da)(da)樂與星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)諸多湯(tang)姓同(tong)族(zu)共譜,湯(tang)于道光(guang)末年(nian)(nian)至同(tong)治初年(nian)(nian)(1850-1862)來(lai)星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)教戲(xi),廣收藝(yi)徒,建立了星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)縣(xian)(xian)第一個彈腔戲(xi)班(ban)(ban)(ban),演出(chu)(chu)(chu)劇(ju)目(mu)30余(yu)出(chu)(chu)(chu)。1874年(nian)(nian),星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)周(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)(zi)(zi)秀出(chu)(chu)(chu)任班(ban)(ban)(ban)頭,戲(xi)班(ban)(ban)(ban)定名為(wei)"青(qing)陽公主(zhu)星(xing)邑義和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)",簡稱"義和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)"。周(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)(zi)(zi)秀,星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)縣(xian)(xian)蘇(su)家擋人(ren)(ren)(ren),生(sheng)(sheng)于1844年(nian)(nian),"自(zi)(zi)(zi)幼聰(cong)明異常,后(hou)(hou)習(xi)伶(ling)人(ren)(ren)(ren)之業(ye),故對(dui)于古往(wang)今(jin)來(lai)之歷史,莫不(bu)知其大(da)(da)略,悲欣(xin)歡樂之態,盡皆形(xing)人(ren)(ren)(ren)"(摘自(zi)(zi)(zi)周(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)(zi)(zi)秀墓(mu)(mu)志(zhi)(zhi))。其子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)周(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)(sheng)"素(su)稱良善于優伶(ling)"(摘自(zi)(zi)(zi)周(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)(sheng)墓(mu)(mu)志(zhi)(zhi))。其孫周(zhou)(zhou)楊(yang)(yang)鑫、楊(yang)(yang)銀、楊(yang)(yang)錠(ding),"均(jun)能繼續(xu)先人(ren)(ren)(ren)之業(ye)"(摘自(zi)(zi)(zi)周(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)(zi)(zi)秀墓(mu)(mu)志(zhi)(zhi)),后(hou)(hou)皆為(wei)西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)名藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)和(he)義和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)骨(gu)干成員。同(tong)班(ban)(ban)(ban)人(ren)(ren)(ren)還有郭(guo)德(de)英、劉忠化、黃(huang)以(yi)政等(deng)(deng)星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)著名藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)。當時義和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)所演劇(ju)目(mu)的(de)《打龍(long)蓬》、《清(qing)(qing)(qing)官冊》、《過昭(zhao)關(guan)》、《三關(guan)調將(jiang)》、《白虎關(guan)》、《二(er)(er)進宮》等(deng)(deng)50余(yu)出(chu)(chu)(chu)大(da)(da)本(ben),30余(yu)出(chu)(chu)(chu)小(xiao)本(ben)。唱(chang)腔以(yi)二(er)(er)黃(huang)、西(xi)(xi)皮(pi)為(wei)主(zhu),演出(chu)(chu)(chu)多沿高腔舊習(xi),如:"破(po)臺"、"放(fang)五昌(chang)"、"報臺"、"登二(er)(er)場"等(deng)(deng)。角色分(fen)為(wei)十大(da)(da)行,即一末二(er)(er)凈(jing)三生(sheng)(sheng)四旦五老六外(wai)七丑八貼(tie)九(jiu)小(xiao)十雜。戲(xi)班(ban)(ban)(ban)除(chu)在星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)本(ben)地演出(chu)(chu)(chu)外(wai),常往(wang)來(lai)于永修、德(de)安(an)、九(jiu)江、都昌(chang)等(deng)(deng)地(舊時多屬南(nan)康(kang)府(fu)、府(fu)治星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)縣(xian)(xian)城)。因此,星(xing)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)便簡稱為(wei)西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)了。
1888年(nian)(nian),星(xing)(xing)子(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)劉(liu)郭原(yuan)(星(xing)(xing)子(zi)蓼南(nan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),1856年(nian)(nian)生(sheng)),從"瑞祝班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"歸來加入(ru)義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),并繼周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)秀(xiu)出(chu)任(ren)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)頭(tou)。1889年(nian)(nian),星(xing)(xing)子(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)湯(tang)(tang)再(zai)樹(shu)(星(xing)(xing)子(zi)溫泉(quan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),1864年(nian)(nian)生(sheng)),從湖北(bei)"漢班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"回(hui)來加入(ru)義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。1919年(nian)(nian),星(xing)(xing)子(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)萬(wan)(wan)正榜(星(xing)(xing)子(zi)蓼花人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),1891年(nian)(nian)生(sheng))自(zi)景德鎮(zhen)"串堂班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"回(hui)來入(ru)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。這些老(lao)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)"雖英(ying)年(nian)(nian)家(jia)(jia)寒,在(zai)外飲午(wu)",然"天資敏(min)捷,才(cai)智過人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),能(neng)演(yan)(yan)古,能(neng)排劇"(摘(zhai)自(zi)湯(tang)(tang)再(zai)樹(shu)墓志)。他(ta)們從外地(di)帶來新的(de)劇目,改造(zao)了一批老(lao)唱(chang)腔,如將(jiang)西(xi)皮頂板(板頭(tou)起唱(chang))改為器(qi)板(即第三眼起唱(chang)),大大豐富了西(xi)河(he)戲的(de)藝(yi)術。星(xing)(xing)子(zi)其他(ta)職業藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)英(ying)才(cai)輩(bei)出(chu),群芳濟濟,義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)迅速擴大。1910年(nian)(nian),義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)出(chu)于繁忙演(yan)(yan)出(chu)的(de)需要,分(fen)為南(nan)北(bei)兩班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。北(bei)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)由(you)湯(tang)(tang)再(zai)樹(shu)領班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),南(nan)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)由(you)周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)領班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),基地(di)分(fen)別設于溫泉(quan)和(he)蘇家(jia)(jia)擋。義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)自(zi)1910年(nian)(nian)分(fen)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),1924年(nian)(nian)合班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)至1937年(nian)(nian)抗日戰爭爆發。前后共(gong)27年(nian)(nian),是義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)鼎盛時(shi)期(qi)。班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)里有(you)(you)眾(zhong)多優(you)秀(xiu)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),先后有(you)(you)11名藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)獲獎掛(gua)牌14次。當地(di)有(you)(you)故事(shi)傳說(shuo),譽(yu)稱周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)、萬(wan)(wan)正榜、湯(tang)(tang)再(zai)樹(shu)、劉(liu)敦厚(hou)、梅傳信為"夜皇帝(di)"、"夜沙帽"、"夜官(guan)"、"戲柜(ju)"、"全國三個半乖人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)"中的(de)"半個"。義(yi)和(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)除在(zai)本縣參加各(ge)種廟會、祠堂、擂(lei)臺演(yan)(yan)出(chu)外,不斷往(wang)來于德安、永(yong)修、九(jiu)江、都昌(chang)等(deng)地(di)巡回(hui)演(yan)(yan)出(chu)。長年(nian)(nian)"南(nan)征(zheng)北(bei)戰"、"東奔西(xi)馳"而"在(zai)外飲午(wu)"。所(suo)演(yan)(yan)之處,"人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)皆津津樂(le)道以(yi)為快"(分(fen)別摘(zhai)自(zi)湯(tang)(tang)大榮、劉(liu)敦厚(hou)、周(zhou)(zhou)(zhou)自(zi)秀(xiu)墓志)。
義(yi)和班發達(da)之時(shi),民間業余演(yan)出(chu)也(ye)方興未艾。各地除增修大(da)量戲(xi)臺(tai)外,村村供奉(feng)樂(le)(le)王菩薩(sa),每年(nian)8月28日做樂(le)(le)王會,祭(ji)祀戲(xi)神。每逢年(nian)節,村村聘請戲(xi)師,教戲(xi)排劇。是(shi)時(shi),鳴炮開臺(tai),鑼鼓(gu)管(guan)弦(xian),通(tong)宵達(da)旦,數日不(bu)絕(jue)。這些(xie)"徒弟戲(xi)"也(ye)大(da)多(duo)遵循義(yi)和班習規,如立樂(le)(le)王位、丑角開臉(lian)、藝人(ren)破臺(tai),第(di)一出(chu)報臺(tai),第(di)二出(chu)登場,末(mo)晚演(yan)"福戲(xi)"圓臺(tai)等(deng)等(deng)。
星(xing)子西河戲(xi)在20世紀六、七十(shi)年(nian)代(dai)受到限(xian)制(zhi),改革開放以后得到恢(hui)復和(he)發(fa)展。劇本(ben)基本(ben)上是從中(zhong)國其(qi)他傳統(tong)劇目改編而來,演(yan)出(chu)人員及樂隊都是當(dang)地的中(zhong)青年(nian)農(nong)民。2010年(nian),西河戲(xi)入選第三批國家級非(fei)物(wu)質文(wen)化遺產名錄,傳統(tong)戲(xi)劇項目類別,序號7。
1945年,抗日戰爭勝利,縣政府(fu)(fu)從都昌遷回星子。8月,義和(he)班(ban)在縣城(cheng)舊(jiu)府(fu)(fu)堂門(men)前戲(xi)(xi)(xi)臺上(shang)演西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)(xi)3天,以(yi)(yi)示慶(qing)祝。上(shang)演節目(mu)有《大(da)審玉堂春》等戲(xi)(xi)(xi)。以(yi)(yi)后西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)(xi)活動得以(yi)(yi)逐漸恢復。但(dan)舊(jiu)政府(fu)(fu)不求圖治,卻忙于(yu)征(zheng)兵、勘亂、競選,甚(shen)至忙于(yu)禁戲(xi)(xi)(xi)。其(qi)理由是"近幾來各鄉(xiang)間游手好(hao)閑者(zhe)(zhe),恒(heng)多演戲(xi)(xi)(xi)集賭,小(xiao)則傾家蕩產,大(da)則流于(yu)匪盜,影響社會(hui),良(liang)非淺鮮。"城(cheng)門(men)失火,殃及池魚,一(yi)有賭情,則拆(chai)除(chu)戲(xi)(xi)(xi)臺、扣壓(ya)戲(xi)(xi)(xi)師(shi)。"倘有循私包庇者(zhe)(zhe),撤職查(cha)辦(ban)"。"如有反抗各等情況",立(li)即鎮壓(ya)(摘自舊(jiu)政府(fu)(fu)告示)。1949年,解放軍入境(jing),舊(jiu)政府(fu)(fu)卷(juan)席而(er)逃。1950年,義和(he)班(ban)解散。?
1937年抗日戰爭(zheng)開始,鄱陽湖(hu)域處于戰爭(zheng)狀態,危(wei)及(ji)沿(yan)湖(hu)一帶城鎮。西河戲(xi)(xi)(xi)活動(dong),也從沿(yan)海地區向內地轉移。星子(zi)以(yi)華林(lin)為中心(xin)的廬山南麓各鄉,業余(yu)(yu)演出(chu)仍很興盛,義和班也多(duo)在(zai)這(zhe)一帶活動(dong),華林(lin)有名藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)20余(yu)(yu)名,占(zhan)當時(shi)全部(bu)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)五分之二。1938年日軍入(ru)境(jing),星子(zi)縣政府遷往都昌(chang),湖(hu)面封鎖(suo),星子(zi)沿(yan)湖(hu)多(duo)筑日軍炮(pao)臺,西河戲(xi)(xi)(xi)活動(dong)迅速失敗(bai),義和班進入(ru)困(kun)難(nan)時(shi)期。雖偶有演出(chu),也是入(ru)不敷出(chu),藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)多(duo)轉而操(cao)演皮(pi)影戲(xi)(xi)(xi),聊以(yi)糊口。1942年,日偽縣長令義和班在(zai)蓼花漢嶺演端(duan)午節戲(xi)(xi)(xi),許多(duo)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)不從而逃往外地。其余(yu)(yu)藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)流離(li)顛沛,朝不保(bao)夕,竟有藝(yi)(yi)(yi)人(ren)抱病(bing)轉操(cao)皮(pi)影戲(xi)(xi)(xi)而終歿他鄉。
建國后,義和(he)班難以(yi)恢復,但(dan)農村(cun)(cun)業余(yu)演(yan)出卻蓬勃(bo)興起(qi),藝人多(duo)以(yi)教戲(xi)為業。縣文化(hua)部門非常重視西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)對活(huo)躍(yue)農村(cun)(cun)業余(yu)文化(hua)生活(huo)的作用,舉行各(ge)類(lei)(lei)西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)調演(yan)、匯(hui)演(yan)和(he)學習(xi)班,西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)迅(xun)速恢復和(he)發展。逢(feng)年過(guo)節,村(cun)(cun)村(cun)(cun)場(chang)場(chang)演(yan)唱西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi),自娛娛人,已成鄉俗。現時(shi)農村(cun)(cun)各(ge)類(lei)(lei)喜事(shi)加上大學、參軍、遷新居、婚嫁(jia)日(ri)甚至農業承包、企(qi)業開張等,人們都愿意花不多(duo)的錢,請(qing)個(ge)業余(yu)劇(ju)團演(yan)唱西(xi)(xi)河(he)戲(xi)招待賓客,以(yi)示慶賀。
西(xi)河戲植根于(yu)村野(ye)鄉俚,吸收了當(dang)地(di)民間(jian)(jian)藝術(shu)(shu)養份,既古(gu)樸(pu)、簡明、生動(dong),又(you)有原始、俚俗之處(chu),其旋律高亢奔放,渾(hun)厚質樸(pu),唱腔為(wei)(wei)板式體,以西(xi)皮、二黃(huang)為(wei)(wei)基本(ben)聲調(diao),并(bing)兼有青陽(yang)高腔、漁歌、民間(jian)(jian)小調(diao)等,唱腔拖腔較(jiao)短,中(zhong)間(jian)(jian)夾有襯字,唱詞多(duo)為(wei)(wei)七字句、十字段,用嗓為(wei)(wei)“生、旦、凈(jing)”三(san)種(zhong)。臺詞念白(bai)多(duo)鄉音俚語(yu),服裝(zhuang)古(gu)色古(gu)香,表(biao)演古(gu)樸(pu)夸張。武打中(zhong)的“搏手”動(dong)手剛健(jian)、姿態優美,多(duo)由民間(jian)(jian)拳術(shu)(shu)變化而來。樂品有京胡(俗稱“細筒琴”),二胡(俗稱“大筒琴”),民國(guo)時始用月(yue)琴。西(xi)河戲的劇(ju)目多(duo)為(wei)(wei)歷史袍帶戲,大多(duo)取(qu)材于(yu)歷史故事,集中(zhong)于(yu)三(san)國(guo)、隋唐、宋等朝代,內容崇尚(shang)忠、義、廉、孝,表(biao)演形式較(jiao)為(wei)(wei)固定,生活化大于(yu)藝術(shu)(shu)化,頗具(ju)鄉土氣息。
西河戲本身就是一種文化(hua),一種藝術形(xing)式。她以多取材(cai)于歷(li)史故事,內容推崇忠(zhong)、孝(xiao)、節、義(yi),從一個側面(mian)推動和(he)活躍了鄉村文化(hua)。
退一(yi)步講,五六十年代(dai)(dai)的(de)人很少(shao)接受(shou)系統的(de)歷(li)(li)史(shi)教育(yu),但戲迷大多(duo)(duo)(duo)數對歷(li)(li)朝歷(li)(li)代(dai)(dai)的(de)典故了如指(zhi)掌;“百(bai)善(shan)孝為(wei)(wei)先(xian),忠(zhong)孝節義…”這(zhe)些(xie)好的(de)行為(wei)(wei)規范對自(zi)身的(de)修(xiu)為(wei)(wei)也或(huo)多(duo)(duo)(duo)或(huo)少(shao)影響,就(jiu)像《大染坊》中陳壽亭一(yi)樣,誰說文(wen)盲就(jiu)不懂歷(li)(li)史(shi),就(jiu)沒有修(xiu)為(wei)(wei)!而(er)作(zuo)為(wei)(wei)我們(men)這(zhe)一(yi)代(dai)(dai),有好的(de)學習條件(jian),多(duo)(duo)(duo)數為(wei)(wei)功利和實用而(er)學,比(bi)起前輩們(men),實在是發汗。
很多劇種都在現代的經(jing)濟浪潮(chao)的沖擊下逐漸(jian)萎縮,西(xi)河戲(xi)也(ye)不(bu)例外(wai)。大多數年輕人(ren)都在外(wai)打拼,即使是過年回家,也(ye)很少有人(ren)對此感興趣了(le)。
讓多數人參與演出可(ke)能性是(shi)不(bu)大了,但完全可(ke)以(yi)通(tong)過(guo)一(yi)些(xie)專業的整理來達到保護的目的。大致可(ke)從(cong)以(yi)下(xia)方面著手:首先收集以(yi)前的劇本整體(ti)編排(pai),刊印。其(qi)次對(dui)一(yi)些(xie)經典的劇目進(jin)(jin)行錄制存檔。有條件和(he)話可(ke)通(tong)過(guo)組建一(yi)支業余(yu)演出劇團進(jin)(jin)行演出,如個別(bie)單位(wei)需要也可(ke)通(tong)過(guo)商業贊助的行式進(jin)(jin)行;若能完全商業化也可(ke)借簽紹興的社(she)戲一(yi)樣(yang)加以(yi)推廣。再次,對(dui)一(yi)些(xie)對(dui)西河(he)戲感興趣的青年進(jin)(jin)行重點培養(yang)。
聞聽九江正(zheng)在對西(xi)河戲進行搶救性保護,甚感欣慰。寧愿(yuan)相信西(xi)河戲她會永遠地演下去。即(ji)使(shi)將來(lai)的(de)一天,西(xi)河戲被淹沒在歷(li)史的(de)滾滾洪流中,她曾(ceng)經帶(dai)給我(wo)們的(de)歡樂與啟迪和也會隨著(zhu)歷(li)史永流傳。