Cantonese opera ‘Legend of the White Snake: Love ‘ staged in Shanghai for the third time
Source: Yangcheng Evening News Yunshang Lingnan Author: Huang Zhouhui Publication time: 2023-11-01 00:36
On October 29th, the Cantonese opera “Legend of the White Snake: Love” was performed on the stage of the Tianchan Yifu Theater in Shanghai, presenting the touching story of Bai Suzhen (the snake maiden) and Xu Xian (an ordinary man).
The performance was presented by the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre, with first-class director Mo Fei serving as the scriptwriter and director. The leading roles were portrayed by first-class performers Zeng Xiaomin and Wen Ruqing co-starring with first-class performers Wang Yanfei and Zhu Hongxing, attracting a number of Cantonese opera fans from Shanghai and other parts of the country.
With the romantic love story, grand stage design, unique singing style, and heartfelt performances of the prestigious cast, the Cantonese opera “Legend of the White Snake: Love” was well-received by the audience. It is reported that this performance marks the third time for the opera to be staged in Shanghai, making Shanghai the city where the opera has been performed the most outside of Guangdong Province.
Through the opera, the audience got to know the brave and passionate Bai Suzhen, the innocent and straightforward Xiao Qing (Bai’s sister), the deeply devoted Xu Xian, and the “villain” Fa Hai (a Buddhist monk) with a complicated personality. It also constructs the utmost romance of “all things bright and beautiful”, with these characters being born of, separated and reunited by, love. From facial expressions and body movements to the lyrics sung, heartfelt performances by the actors and actresses have deeply attracted and touched the hearts of the audience.
On stage, Zeng Xiaomin excels in both martial and literary arts, while being adept at both singing and dancing. With every movement and expression, she showcased her remarkable talent in portraying the character to the fullest, earning herself the affection of the audience. When she, playing the role of Bai Suzhen, stands on the bridge holding an umbrella while singing the theme song “Fulfilling My Wish”, the audience becomes engrossed in the poignant and captivating love story amid the melodious tunes of Cantonese opera.
The Cantonese opera “Legend of the White Snake: Love” is scheduled to be performed at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on December 27th, with plans for tours in Wenzhou, Jinhua, and other cities next year.
Cantonese opera “The Legend of White Snake: Love” appears in Shanghai for the third time
On the evening of October 29th, the Cantonese opera “The Legend of White Snake: Love” made its wonderful debut in Shanghai, performing the touching story of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian on the Tianchan Yifu Stage in Shanghai.
The play is performed by the Guangdong Cantonese Theater, with first-class director Mo Fei serving as screenwriter and director, first-class actor, Wenhua Performance Award, and Chinese Drama Plum Blossom Award winner Zeng Xiaomin, first-class actor Wen Ruqing starring, and first-class actors Wang Yanfei and Zhu Hongxing. The co-starring has attracted a group of Cantonese opera fans from Shanghai and all over the country.
With its romantic and touching love, beautiful and majestic stage, unique Cantonese opera singing, and passionate performances by famous actors, the Cantonese opera “The Legend of White Snake: Love” has been loved and praised by the audience. It is reported that this performance is the third time that the Cantonese opera “White Snake: Love” has been performed in Shanghai. Shanghai has also become the city with the most performances outside Guangdong Province.
The Cantonese opera “White Snake: Love” allows the audience to see Bai Suzhen who dares to love and hate, innocent and straightforward Xiao Qing, and passionate Xu Xian. Fa Hai is no longer a black and white “villain”; , the ultimate romance of “everything is beautiful in the world”. These characters in the play were born, dispersed, and reunited because of love. From their eyes, body postures to lyrics, they all spoke of love. The audience was deeply attracted and moved by the actors’ passionate performances.
On the stage, Zeng Xiaomin is good at both literary and martial arts, as well as singing and composition. Every movement, silence, frown and smile, Zeng Xiaomin interprets the characters vividly and is deeply loved by the audience. When her character Bai Suzhen stood on the bridge holding an umbrella and sang the theme song “Fulfill My Wish”, the audience gradually fell into the drama with the melodious Cantonese opera singing and felt this poignant and moving thousand-year love.
According to reports, the Cantonese opera “White Snake: Love” will also be performed at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts on December 27; next year it will tour in Wenzhou, Jinhua and other places.
Text | Reporter Huang Zhouhui, Correspondent Zhu Yancai
Picture | Provided by Guangdong Cantonese Theater
Editor | Wang Nan
Proofreading | Pan Liling