清乾隆年間(jian),贛江下游的(de)南(nan)昌(chang)(chang)地(di)區(qu),以(yi)及贛江主(zhu)(zhu)支流"西(xi)(xi)(xi)河"流域的(de)永修、德安、九江、星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)等(deng)(deng)(deng)縣,是弋陽腔(qiang)(qiang)、宜黃腔(qiang)(qiang)、青(qing)陽腔(qiang)(qiang)和湖北(bei)漢劇頻繁活動的(de)地(di)區(qu)。清嘉慶年間(jian),諸腔(qiang)(qiang)合(he)流,首先在(zai)南(nan)昌(chang)(chang)形(xing)成(cheng)一(yi)種(zhong)亂彈班,影響(xiang)甚廣。清道光年間(jian),著(zhu)(zhu)名(ming)(ming)(ming)藝(yi)人(ren)湯(tang)(tang)(tang)大(da)(da)(da)(da)樂(今德安縣高塘人(ren),1801年生(sheng)),先后(hou)在(zai)南(nan)昌(chang)(chang)的(de)亂彈班和漢口的(de)漢劇班唱戲(xi)(xi),后(hou)載譽歸鄉,與(yu)其兄(xiong)湯(tang)(tang)(tang)大(da)(da)(da)(da)榮(rong)一(yi)起,在(zai)老家湯(tang)(tang)(tang)家坂組織湯(tang)(tang)(tang)家戲(xi)(xi)班,排演(yan)(yan)黃皮戲(xi)(xi)。湯(tang)(tang)(tang)大(da)(da)(da)(da)樂與(yu)星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)諸多(duo)湯(tang)(tang)(tang)姓(xing)同(tong)族共(gong)譜,湯(tang)(tang)(tang)于(yu)(yu)道光末年至同(tong)治(zhi)初(chu)年(1850-1862)來(lai)星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)教戲(xi)(xi),廣收藝(yi)徒,建立了星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)縣第(di)一(yi)個彈腔(qiang)(qiang)戲(xi)(xi)班,演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)劇目30余出(chu)(chu)。1874年,星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)周(zhou)自(zi)(zi)秀(xiu)出(chu)(chu)任班頭,戲(xi)(xi)班定名(ming)(ming)(ming)為(wei)"青(qing)陽公主(zhu)(zhu)星(xing)(xing)(xing)邑義(yi)(yi)和班",簡稱"義(yi)(yi)和班"。周(zhou)自(zi)(zi)秀(xiu),星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)縣蘇家擋人(ren),生(sheng)于(yu)(yu)1844年,"自(zi)(zi)幼聰明異常(chang),后(hou)習(xi)伶人(ren)之業,故對于(yu)(yu)古往今來(lai)之歷(li)史,莫不知其大(da)(da)(da)(da)略,悲(bei)欣歡樂之態,盡皆(jie)形(xing)人(ren)"(摘(zhai)自(zi)(zi)周(zhou)自(zi)(zi)秀(xiu)墓(mu)(mu)志)。其子(zi)(zi)周(zhou)招生(sheng)"素稱良善于(yu)(yu)優伶"(摘(zhai)自(zi)(zi)周(zhou)招生(sheng)墓(mu)(mu)志)。其孫周(zhou)楊(yang)(yang)鑫(xin)、楊(yang)(yang)銀、楊(yang)(yang)錠,"均(jun)能繼(ji)續先人(ren)之業"(摘(zhai)自(zi)(zi)周(zhou)自(zi)(zi)秀(xiu)墓(mu)(mu)志),后(hou)皆(jie)為(wei)西(xi)(xi)(xi)河戲(xi)(xi)名(ming)(ming)(ming)藝(yi)人(ren)和義(yi)(yi)和班骨干成(cheng)員(yuan)。同(tong)班人(ren)還有郭德英(ying)、劉忠化、黃以(yi)政(zheng)等(deng)(deng)(deng)星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)著(zhu)(zhu)名(ming)(ming)(ming)藝(yi)人(ren)。當(dang)時義(yi)(yi)和班所演(yan)(yan)劇目的(de)《打龍蓬》、《清官冊》、《過昭(zhao)關》、《三(san)關調將》、《白(bai)虎(hu)關》、《二進(jin)宮(gong)》等(deng)(deng)(deng)50余出(chu)(chu)大(da)(da)(da)(da)本,30余出(chu)(chu)小本。唱腔(qiang)(qiang)以(yi)二黃、西(xi)(xi)(xi)皮為(wei)主(zhu)(zhu),演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)多(duo)沿高腔(qiang)(qiang)舊習(xi),如:"破臺"、"放五(wu)昌(chang)(chang)"、"報臺"、"登二場(chang)"等(deng)(deng)(deng)。角(jiao)色分為(wei)十大(da)(da)(da)(da)行,即一(yi)末二凈三(san)生(sheng)四旦五(wu)老六外七(qi)丑八貼(tie)九小十雜。戲(xi)(xi)班除(chu)在(zai)星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)本地(di)演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)外,常(chang)往來(lai)于(yu)(yu)永修、德安、九江、都昌(chang)(chang)等(deng)(deng)(deng)地(di)(舊時多(duo)屬(shu)南(nan)康府、府治(zhi)星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)縣城)。因(yin)此,星(xing)(xing)(xing)子(zi)(zi)西(xi)(xi)(xi)河戲(xi)(xi)便簡稱為(wei)西(xi)(xi)(xi)河戲(xi)(xi)了。
1888年(nian),星(xing)子(zi)(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)劉郭原(yuan)(星(xing)子(zi)(zi)蓼(liao)南人(ren),1856年(nian)生(sheng)),從(cong)(cong)"瑞祝(zhu)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"歸(gui)來(lai)加(jia)入義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),并繼周(zhou)(zhou)自秀(xiu)出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu)任班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)頭。1889年(nian),星(xing)子(zi)(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)湯再樹(星(xing)子(zi)(zi)溫泉(quan)人(ren),1864年(nian)生(sheng)),從(cong)(cong)湖(hu)北(bei)(bei)"漢班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"回來(lai)加(jia)入義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。1919年(nian),星(xing)子(zi)(zi)藝(yi)人(ren)萬正榜(星(xing)子(zi)(zi)蓼(liao)花(hua)人(ren),1891年(nian)生(sheng))自景德鎮"串堂(tang)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)"回來(lai)入班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。這些(xie)老人(ren)"雖英年(nian)家(jia)寒,在外飲(yin)午",然"天資敏捷,才智(zhi)過(guo)人(ren),能演(yan)(yan)古,能排劇(ju)(ju)"(摘(zhai)自湯再樹墓志)。他們從(cong)(cong)外地帶來(lai)新的(de)(de)劇(ju)(ju)目,改造了(le)(le)一批(pi)老唱腔,如將西皮頂板(板頭起(qi)唱)改為(wei)器板(即第(di)三眼起(qi)唱),大(da)大(da)豐(feng)富了(le)(le)西河戲(xi)的(de)(de)藝(yi)術。星(xing)子(zi)(zi)其他職(zhi)業藝(yi)人(ren)英才輩出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu),群芳濟濟,義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)迅速擴大(da)。1910年(nian),義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu)于繁忙演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu)的(de)(de)需要,分為(wei)南北(bei)(bei)兩班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)。北(bei)(bei)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)由(you)湯再樹領班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),南班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)由(you)周(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)領班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),基(ji)地分別(bie)設于溫泉(quan)和(he)(he)(he)蘇家(jia)擋。義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)自1910年(nian)分班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban),1924年(nian)合(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)至1937年(nian)抗日戰爭爆(bao)發。前后共27年(nian),是義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)鼎(ding)盛時期。班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)里(li)有眾多優(you)秀(xiu)藝(yi)人(ren),先后有11名(ming)藝(yi)人(ren)獲(huo)獎掛牌14次。當地有故事傳說(shuo),譽稱周(zhou)(zhou)招生(sheng)、萬正榜、湯再樹、劉敦厚、梅傳信為(wei)"夜(ye)皇帝"、"夜(ye)沙帽(mao)"、"夜(ye)官(guan)"、"戲(xi)柜"、"全(quan)國三個半(ban)乖(guai)人(ren)"中的(de)(de)"半(ban)個"。義(yi)(yi)(yi)和(he)(he)(he)班(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)(ban)除在本(ben)縣參加(jia)各(ge)種廟會、祠堂(tang)、擂臺演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu)外,不斷往來(lai)于德安、永修、九江、都昌等地巡回演(yan)(yan)出(chu)(chu)(chu)(chu)。長年(nian)"南征北(bei)(bei)戰"、"東(dong)奔西馳"而"在外飲(yin)午"。所演(yan)(yan)之處,"人(ren)皆津津樂道以(yi)為(wei)快"(分別(bie)摘(zhai)自湯大(da)榮、劉敦厚、周(zhou)(zhou)自秀(xiu)墓志)。
義(yi)和班(ban)發(fa)達之時,民間(jian)業余演出(chu)也方興(xing)未(wei)艾。各地(di)除增修大(da)量戲臺(tai)外,村(cun)(cun)村(cun)(cun)供奉樂(le)王(wang)菩(pu)薩(sa),每年(nian)(nian)8月(yue)28日做樂(le)王(wang)會,祭祀戲神。每逢年(nian)(nian)節,村(cun)(cun)村(cun)(cun)聘請戲師,教(jiao)戲排(pai)劇(ju)。是時,鳴炮開臺(tai),鑼(luo)鼓管弦(xian),通宵(xiao)達旦,數日不絕(jue)。這些(xie)"徒(tu)弟戲"也大(da)多遵循義(yi)和班(ban)習規,如立(li)樂(le)王(wang)位(wei)、丑角開臉(lian)、藝(yi)人(ren)破臺(tai),第一出(chu)報臺(tai),第二出(chu)登(deng)場,末晚演"福戲"圓(yuan)臺(tai)等(deng)等(deng)。
星(xing)子西河(he)戲在(zai)20世紀六、七十年代受到限制,改(gai)(gai)革開放(fang)以后得到恢復和發展。劇本(ben)基本(ben)上是(shi)(shi)從中(zhong)國其他傳統(tong)劇目(mu)改(gai)(gai)編而(er)來,演出(chu)人(ren)員及(ji)樂隊(dui)都是(shi)(shi)當地的(de)中(zhong)青(qing)年農民。2010年,西河(he)戲入選第三(san)批國家(jia)級非物質文化遺產名錄(lu),傳統(tong)戲劇項目(mu)類別,序號7。
1945年,抗(kang)日戰爭勝利,縣政府(fu)從都昌遷(qian)回星子。8月,義和(he)(he)班在縣城舊(jiu)府(fu)堂(tang)門(men)前戲(xi)(xi)臺(tai)上演(yan)西河(he)(he)戲(xi)(xi)3天,以(yi)示慶祝。上演(yan)節目有(you)《大審玉(yu)堂(tang)春(chun)》等戲(xi)(xi)。以(yi)后西河(he)(he)戲(xi)(xi)活(huo)動得以(yi)逐漸恢復。但舊(jiu)政府(fu)不(bu)求圖治(zhi),卻忙(mang)于征(zheng)兵、勘亂、競選,甚(shen)至忙(mang)于禁戲(xi)(xi)。其理由(you)是(shi)"近幾來各(ge)鄉間(jian)游手好閑者,恒多演(yan)戲(xi)(xi)集賭,小則(ze)(ze)傾家蕩產(chan),大則(ze)(ze)流于匪(fei)盜(dao),影響(xiang)社會,良非淺鮮(xian)。"城門(men)失(shi)火,殃及池魚,一有(you)賭情(qing),則(ze)(ze)拆除戲(xi)(xi)臺(tai)、扣壓戲(xi)(xi)師(shi)。"倘有(you)循私包庇(bi)者,撤職查辦(ban)"。"如有(you)反抗(kang)各(ge)等情(qing)況",立即(ji)鎮壓(摘(zhai)自舊(jiu)政府(fu)告示)。1949年,解(jie)放軍(jun)入境,舊(jiu)政府(fu)卷席(xi)而逃。1950年,義和(he)(he)班解(jie)散。?
1937年(nian)(nian)抗日(ri)戰(zhan)爭開始,鄱陽(yang)湖(hu)(hu)域處(chu)于戰(zhan)爭狀態,危及沿湖(hu)(hu)一(yi)帶城鎮。西(xi)河戲活動(dong),也(ye)從(cong)沿海地區向(xiang)內地轉(zhuan)移。星(xing)子(zi)以華(hua)林為中心(xin)的廬山南(nan)麓各(ge)鄉(xiang),業余演(yan)(yan)出仍(reng)很興(xing)盛,義和班(ban)也(ye)多(duo)在(zai)這一(yi)帶活動(dong),華(hua)林有(you)名藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)20余名,占當時全部藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)五分之二。1938年(nian)(nian)日(ri)軍(jun)入(ru)境,星(xing)子(zi)縣政府(fu)遷往都昌,湖(hu)(hu)面(mian)封鎖,星(xing)子(zi)沿湖(hu)(hu)多(duo)筑(zhu)日(ri)軍(jun)炮(pao)臺,西(xi)河戲活動(dong)迅(xun)速失敗,義和班(ban)進入(ru)困難時期。雖(sui)偶有(you)演(yan)(yan)出,也(ye)是入(ru)不(bu)(bu)敷出,藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)多(duo)轉(zhuan)而(er)操演(yan)(yan)皮影戲,聊以糊口(kou)。1942年(nian)(nian),日(ri)偽(wei)縣長令(ling)義和班(ban)在(zai)蓼(liao)花漢(han)嶺(ling)演(yan)(yan)端午節戲,許多(duo)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)不(bu)(bu)從(cong)而(er)逃往外(wai)地。其余藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)流離(li)顛(dian)沛,朝不(bu)(bu)保夕,竟有(you)藝(yi)人(ren)(ren)抱病(bing)轉(zhuan)操皮影戲而(er)終歿他鄉(xiang)。
建(jian)國后,義和(he)(he)班難以恢復(fu),但(dan)農(nong)村(cun)業余(yu)演出卻蓬勃興(xing)起,藝人(ren)多以教(jiao)戲(xi)(xi)為業。縣文化(hua)(hua)部(bu)門非常重視西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)對活(huo)躍農(nong)村(cun)業余(yu)文化(hua)(hua)生活(huo)的作用,舉行(xing)各(ge)(ge)類(lei)(lei)西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)調演、匯演和(he)(he)學習班,西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)迅速恢復(fu)和(he)(he)發(fa)展。逢(feng)年過(guo)節,村(cun)村(cun)場場演唱西河(he)戲(xi)(xi),自娛娛人(ren),已成(cheng)鄉俗。現時農(nong)村(cun)各(ge)(ge)類(lei)(lei)喜(xi)事加上大學、參軍、遷新居、婚嫁日甚至農(nong)業承(cheng)包、企(qi)業開張等,人(ren)們都(dou)愿意花不(bu)多的錢,請個業余(yu)劇團演唱西河(he)戲(xi)(xi)招待賓客,以示(shi)慶賀。
西河(he)戲(xi)植根(gen)于村野(ye)鄉俚,吸(xi)收了當地(di)民(min)間藝術養份(fen),既古樸(pu)(pu)、簡明、生(sheng)動(dong),又(you)有(you)原始(shi)、俚俗(su)之處,其(qi)旋律高亢(kang)奔放,渾厚質樸(pu)(pu),唱腔(qiang)為(wei)(wei)板(ban)式(shi)體,以(yi)西皮(pi)、二黃為(wei)(wei)基本聲調(diao),并兼有(you)青陽高腔(qiang)、漁歌(ge)、民(min)間小調(diao)等(deng),唱腔(qiang)拖腔(qiang)較短,中(zhong)間夾有(you)襯字,唱詞多為(wei)(wei)七字句、十字段(duan),用(yong)嗓為(wei)(wei)“生(sheng)、旦、凈”三(san)(san)種。臺詞念白多鄉音俚語,服(fu)裝(zhuang)古色古香(xiang),表(biao)演古樸(pu)(pu)夸張。武(wu)打(da)中(zhong)的“搏手”動(dong)手剛健、姿(zi)態優美,多由(you)民(min)間拳術變化而(er)來(lai)。樂品有(you)京(jing)胡(hu)(俗(su)稱“細筒琴(qin)”),二胡(hu)(俗(su)稱“大筒琴(qin)”),民(min)國時始(shi)用(yong)月(yue)琴(qin)。西河(he)戲(xi)的劇目多為(wei)(wei)歷史袍帶戲(xi),大多取材于歷史故事,集中(zhong)于三(san)(san)國、隋唐、宋等(deng)朝代(dai),內容崇尚忠(zhong)、義、廉、孝,表(biao)演形式(shi)較為(wei)(wei)固定,生(sheng)活化大于藝術化,頗(po)具鄉土氣息。
西河戲本身就是一種文(wen)化,一種藝術形(xing)式。她以(yi)多取材于歷史故(gu)事(shi),內容推崇(chong)忠(zhong)、孝(xiao)、節、義,從一個(ge)側面(mian)推動和(he)活躍了(le)鄉村文(wen)化。
退(tui)一(yi)步(bu)講,五(wu)六十年代的(de)人(ren)很少(shao)接(jie)受系統(tong)的(de)歷史教育,但戲(xi)迷大多(duo)數對(dui)歷朝歷代的(de)典故了(le)如指掌;“百善孝為(wei)先,忠孝節義…”這些好(hao)的(de)行為(wei)規范(fan)對(dui)自身(shen)的(de)修為(wei)也或多(duo)或少(shao)影響(xiang),就像《大染坊》中陳壽亭(ting)一(yi)樣,誰說(shuo)文(wen)盲就不(bu)懂歷史,就沒有修為(wei)!而(er)作為(wei)我們這一(yi)代,有好(hao)的(de)學(xue)習條件(jian),多(duo)數為(wei)功利和實用而(er)學(xue),比起(qi)前(qian)輩們,實在是發汗。
很多劇種都在(zai)現代的(de)(de)經濟浪(lang)潮(chao)的(de)(de)沖擊下逐漸萎(wei)縮,西河戲(xi)也不例外。大多數(shu)年(nian)輕(qing)人都在(zai)外打(da)拼(pin),即使是過年(nian)回家,也很少(shao)有(you)人對此(ci)感興趣了。
讓多數人參與演出可(ke)能性是不大了,但完(wan)全可(ke)以(yi)通過一(yi)(yi)些(xie)(xie)專(zhuan)業的整理來(lai)達到保護的目的。大致可(ke)從以(yi)下方面著手:首先(xian)收(shou)集(ji)以(yi)前的劇(ju)(ju)本整體編排,刊印。其次對(dui)一(yi)(yi)些(xie)(xie)經典的劇(ju)(ju)目進行錄制(zhi)存檔(dang)。有條件和(he)話可(ke)通過組建一(yi)(yi)支業余演出劇(ju)(ju)團進行演出,如(ru)個別單(dan)位(wei)需要也可(ke)通過商業贊助的行式進行;若(ruo)能完(wan)全商業化也可(ke)借簽紹興的社戲(xi)一(yi)(yi)樣加以(yi)推(tui)廣。再次,對(dui)一(yi)(yi)些(xie)(xie)對(dui)西河戲(xi)感興趣的青年進行重點(dian)培養。
聞聽九江正在(zai)對西河(he)戲進行搶救性保護,甚感欣(xin)慰。寧愿(yuan)相(xiang)信西河(he)戲她(ta)會永(yong)遠地演下去(qu)。即使將來(lai)的(de)一天(tian),西河(he)戲被淹(yan)沒在(zai)歷(li)史(shi)的(de)滾滾洪流中,她(ta)曾經帶給我(wo)們的(de)歡樂與啟迪(di)和也會隨(sui)著歷(li)史(shi)永(yong)流傳。