片斷中的交錯——記錄做戲中的華軒人

                
                
更多精彩內容將刊登在VIE LITE MAGAZINE Issue/September 2011
敬請關註！
      悉尼有一群熱愛作戲的瘋子，他們來自五湖四海，充滿對藝術的執著和追求，在多數擦身而過的人群中，他們的堅持和努力倍顯光芒。成軍八年的華軒劇社已為本 地最有影響力的話劇團體，上演了多部膾炙人口的經典作品，今年其第九部話劇作品《欽差大臣》將於九月末隆重上演。
 
      華軒劇社是悉尼唯一的，也是全澳最具影響力的華語話劇團。《德齡與慈禧》（2010）的成功上演為劇社迎來了又一個驚人的高峰，好評如潮的背後也積累著新的動力。在不斷創新和蛻變的過程中，華軒已經逐漸建立起自己對藝術方向的把握。
      2011年度大戲《欽差大臣》被提到議程的初始並沒得到多數同仁的認可，在經歷改本、反覆推敲、選角、試戲等多個步驟後，其閃光點被逐一發現，如深藏真 金，越現光澤。原著為俄國批判現實主義文學的奠基人果戈理，故事時間和地點改到了近代中國，某小城的官員們在其位不謀其政，仗勢橫行魚肉百姓，他們雖表面 謙恭友愛，但私底下卻勾心鬥角，爾虞我詐，為了一己之私肆意妄為，百姓們更是敢怒不敢言。‘欽差大臣’的到來打破了之前的所有平靜，他們或趨之若鶩，或全 力獻媚，或絞盡腦汁，或徹底屈服，都盡情放肆的展現其各色性格中的不同觀點，於諷刺中嘲笑，於怒罵中釋懷人生百態。
      年度大戲的編排，比電影膠片的慢動作來得更真實，更珍貴。舞台上一氣呵成，在最短的時間里把情緒和情節逐一放大，更在每段戲演員們的通力合作中產生著巨 大的化學反應。而也就在此刻，躺在劇本中沈默的台詞也開始逐漸的復活出他們原本的生命力，發亮般閃爍著每字每句的含義，而這樣的氣氛也將不斷蔓延和傳播， 等待著與觀眾分享。
      每年的三天四場都略顯匆匆，又何嘗不充實的扣人心弦。幕布打開的瞬間，一切激情都盡顯眼底，而戲劇的爆發點也在釋放的剎那如煙花四射：台上的人物半真半 實，偶爾沈醉，也不禁要疑惑身在何處。但或許，無論觀眾，還是台上的表演者都在那時那刻盡情徜徉於每段來往的情節中，誰又更在乎怎樣的淪陷？
      華軒劇社即將上演的第九部大戲《欽差大臣》，用情節再次剖析不同人性的各自特點，在對話中交錯他們各自的人生態度。各色鮮活的角色在闡述、回憶、思考中 昇華對人生價值觀的多面選擇，至於結果將偏向何方，劇中人物命運是翻雲覆雨的持續激烈，還是力挽狂瀾的回覆平靜，就需等待上演那天在你的思緒中逐一揭曉 了。
CPI is the only theatre company in Sydney that produces plays in Chinese Mandarin. The success of their 2010 production, De-Ling and Empress Dowager Ci-Xi, brought the standard of CPI productions to a remarkable height. Behind waves of commending reviews accumulates new motivation. Continuing in their steps to innovate and transform, CPI has gradually built up confidence in their artistic direction.
There is a group of lunatics in Sydney who love theatre. They come from diverse fields but are dedicated to their pursuit of the arts. These lunatics stand out from the crowd because of their utmost persistence and efforts. Locally based in Sydney, their eight-year old Cathay Playhouse Inc. (CPI) has become the most influential Chinese theatre organisation in Australia. CPI has staged many well-received classics and their ninth Annual Production, The Government Inspector, will be showcased at the end of September.
The Government Inspector, the chosen script for the 2011 production, was not favoured by most CPI members when it was first suggested. Yet after the processes of adapting, deliberating, auditioning and casting, the real gold buried deep in the play was discovered. Nikolai Gogol, its playwright, initiated the body of Russian literature on the critique of reality. CPI has changed the setting of the play to contemporary China. The officials of a small town do not attend to proper work, but instead exploit common people. Whilst masking a humble and friendly image, in reality they plot intrigues and act recklessly according to personal interests. Although angered, the commoners can do nothing but remain silent. The arrival of the “Government Inspector” disrupts this supposed tranquility, moving the officials to flock together to pronounce flatteries, pay bribes and show complete subservience. They are unrestricted in manner to satisfy the “Government Inspector”, prompting ridicule and reflection on the marvelous impacts of the vicissitudes of life.
Presentations of annual productions are more real and more precious than the extent of detail presented in slow-motion film. Stage only gives one take, amplifying feelings and plots in the shortest time possible, sparking chemistry between actors in their cooperation throughout the act. Just like this, the silent script begins to take shape and words take on a life of their own. This magic will continue to spread, waiting to be shared with the audience.
Every year, four shows over three days seem somewhat hurried and too short to sustain the excitement. When the curtain opens, all passions lay bare and the play shines on stage: the actors, though indulged in their characters, also cannot help but wonder where they really are. Yet, who would care what we fall into when, at that moment, both audience and performer are so deeply immersed in the story?
CPI’s ninth production, The Government Inspector, again utilises the plot to dissect various personalities who, through dialogue, exchange their own attitudes on life. In their elaboration, recollection and contemplation, the animated characters highlight the multitude of choices offered by different life values. As to where the outcome leads, whether the characters will continue to suffer from intense unrest or finally reach a state of calm, you will have to wait until what your thoughts reveal on the day of the performance.