Classic tale keeps core elements

Veteran Peking Opera artist Ye Shaolan discusses moves of the Peking Opera piece, The Legend of the White Snake, with the creative team members of the new edition of the classic piece, at the NCPA, on Aug 27. "Many classic scenes from The Legend of the White Snake are particularly famous and emblematic of the production's dramatic and emotional depth, such as the West Lake encounter, which sees Bai and Xu meeting for the first time and the confrontation with Fa Hai, featuring the conflict between Bai and the monk, who opposes the couple's reunion," says Zhang Yao. "These scenes are central to the opera's narrative and are notable for their dramatic presentation, emotional depth, and the use of traditional Peking Opera techniques, including elaborate costumes, symbolic gestures and stylized movements. Yin, the president of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, notes that besides the classic scenes, which highlight the love of the couple, the new production will also depict Bai's desire to become human, primarily due to her deep love for Xu. After he finished writing the script of The Legend of the White Snake, artists of the school, including composer Wang Yaoqing, and director Li Zigui, who was the founder of the directing department of the school, worked together to bring the Peking Opera piece alive onstage," says Yin.