Classic tale keeps core elements

The Legend of the White Snake returns with its enduring love story, Chen Nan reports.

The first class Ye Shaolan had after he was admitted to study at the Experimental School of Chinese Theatre Arts (now the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts) in 1952 was learning the Peking Opera The Legend of the White Snake, which was written by famed playwright Tian Han (1898-1968) that year.

"Though more than 70 years have passed, I can still recall the moments when I learned the piece, which is so beautiful and romantic," recalls Ye, 82, at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on Sept 11. "Unlike many other Peking Opera pieces, which mostly tell stories about history, politics, society and daily life, The Legend of the White Snake highlights love."

As one of the most famous folk tales from ancient China, The Legend of the White Snake is about a love affair between a female snake fairy named Bai Suzhen who transforms into a beautiful woman and a man called Xu Xian. They meet, fall in love and get married. But a monk, who considers Bai evil, jails her in a tower, getting in the way of the couple's happy life.

On Sept 11, the NCPA announced its new production of The Legend of the White Snake, which, inviting Ye to be the artistic consultant, will premiere with shows running from Oct 1 to 3.

Peking Opera is a 200-year-old art form that combines singing, dancing, acrobatics and martial arts. The old art form was inscribed in 2010 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Ye has played the role of Xu many times, including his collaboration with Peking Opera actress Zhang Huoding taking the role of Bai in the production of The Legend of the White Snake in 2016. His father, Peking Opera master Ye Shenglan (1914-78), also performed the role of Xu in The Legend of the White Snake in Paris in 1955.

"The Legend of the White Snake marks a significant milestone in the development of Peking Opera. It's one of the most popular pieces among fans and has been performed by generations of artists," Ye Shaolan says.

According to Zhang Yao, vice-president of the NCPA, the new edition of the Peking Opera piece will be based on Tian's script and gather creative team members, including 82-year-old director Yang Xiaoqing and music director Yin Xiaodong. Veteran Peking Opera actresses Li Shengsu and Wang Yan will play the role of Bai and actor Li Hongtu will play the role of Xu.