以复古为革新——从美国莎士比亚中心的创作看美国莎剧的发展与实践

Seeking Reform through a Return to the Past:American Shakespeare Center and the Development of Shakespeare Tradition in the United States

二十世纪九十年代,英国剧界以莎剧传统为正宗,坚持复兴古道的风气非常明显。这种风气很自然地传到美国。在美国,有一些莎剧团以再现文艺复兴时期的莎剧古典风貌作为招牌。其中最有名的是弗吉尼亚斯汤顿小镇的“美国莎士比亚中心”。剧团所采取的策略是“复兴早期英国戏剧于表演的传统”。从普遍照明、空台不设布景,到强调观演互动,再到重建1608年的室内黑僧剧院,莎翁时代的做派处处可观。另外,剧团还推行“演员的文艺复兴季”,让演员仿照旧时的剧团,在没有导演,也没有舞台设计、服装道具的情况下,每周四天进行演出。美国莎剧剧场实践与文化意涵之间关系交错。

Since the 1990s,the“original practices”productions of Shakespeare have gained popularity not only in Britain but also in several theatrical venues in North America-most notably by the American Shakespeare Company(ASC)in Staunton,Virginia.ASC's productions focus on universal lighting,direct audience address,replica playhouse,and a usually bare stage.Another central practice is the Actors’Renaissance Season,a three-month affair at the advent of every year,during which the ASC attempts to recreate the working model of Shakespeare's own company by eliminating the role of director.This article assesses how ASC has created its own tradition by rediscovering the past and in so doing has become a major influence in contemporary Shakespearean theatre.