文明戏的1920年突围——对《华伦》事件的双重坐标考查

Breakthrough of Civilized Plays:The Performance of Mrs.Warren's Profession in 1920's China

《华伦》事件,处于中国戏剧历史和社会发展的一个重要节点上,从这个层面上来观照该事件,可以更清楚地观测到该事件的坐标意义。对于《华伦》事件,我们应立体认知。从历史坐标而言,该事件发挥了积极的历史作用,成就了汪仲贤等人在文明戏后期的历史贡献;从思潮坐标而言,该事件是文明戏群体对新文化的一次主动示好与靠拢接受,可以视为文明戏面对颓势的一次突围。但是,事实上,针对文明戏时代的认知水准和文化高度,从文明戏自身而言,即便是选择了《华伦》这样陈义之高的剧本演出,也无法改变其必将被历史淘洗、完成代谢的必然命运。

The perfo rmance of Mrs . Warren＇ s Profession in 1920＇ s China was a milestone in the history of Chinese theater. Its influence was complex. It followed the trend of the time, contributed to the career of civilized play performers such as Wang Zhongxian, and was a breakthrough of civilized plays. Yet the audience of the time determined that even a good script such as Mrs . Warren＇ s Profession could not halt the decline of civilized plays.