我從音樂開始

私下給音樂劇分了類：
1.偏重劇情的
2.以旋律動聽取勝的
3.藝術性特別高的
像"Jekyll & Hyde"與"Miss Saigon"相比之下就顯得單薄許多
以致出現歌曲流行而劇不紅的情況
幸好還有令聽眾喜愛的音樂使其能傳唱至今

音樂劇的唱匠輩出
我卻很晚才注意到Judi Dench
由於不太看007系列電影
可以說在「莎翁情史」一片前我根本不曉得她
直到她在此片中因曝光僅短短八分鐘的伊莉莎白女王而奪得該屆奧斯卡最佳女配角
後來得知她自舞台劇起家
其實不少實力派的演員都曾經過舞台的磨練
那種立即能得知自身表現給台下評價為何的挑戰
確實給表演藝術工作者許多啟發

收藏的1998年為紀念名製作人Cameron Mackintosh的一場音樂劇表演
彙集了二十世紀最受歡迎的片段及單曲
其中Dench也登台獻唱了"Send In The Clowns"
老實講她的音色說不上好聽（這首曲子我最愛聽的是Sarah Vaughan)
畫面乍看也只是貌不驚人的婦人
但她歌聲中的滄桑卻表現得十分自然且充滿魅力
適切地詮釋出那種自我解嘲的感傷
似乎為冰冷的舞台暖出了一圈的光暈
我也被她的風華所眩
更回想起昔日躲在音樂教室一遍遍反覆聆聽這首曲子的感動

她的歌聲已經不只是舞台當下的呈現
之於我更具有時空的穿透力及想像的空間
這樣的表演才稱得上真正的雋永

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air,
Where are the clowns?

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move,
Where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns?

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours
Making my entrance again with my usual flair
Sure of my lines
No one is there

Don't you love farce?
My fault, I fear
I thought that you'd want what I want
Sorry, my dear!
But where are the clowns
Send in the clowns
Don't bother, they're here

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer?
Losing my timing this late in my career
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns
Well, maybe next year