Xiqu

Ou Opera, originally known as Wenzhou luantan, is one of the regional theatrical genres. It was inscribed onto the second listing of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2008. It consists of both civil and martial repertories, with the former distinguished by delicate singing and the latter, uniquely devised stunts. The vocal styles are diverse, so the emotive spectrum covers grand, impassioned as well as quaint and restrained expressions.

On its visit to Hong Kong, the Wenzhou Opera Research Institute will present three full-length productions, The Legend of the White Snake, Killing a Dog to Admonish Her Husband and Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun. The cast will be led by two leading lights in Ou Opera today: Fang Rujiang, winner of the Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Theatre, and Cai Xiaoqiu, winner of the Lead Actor Award at the Shanghai Magnolia Performing Arts Award. The Legend of the White Snake is a classic in Ou Opera, known for the balanced focus on both singing and acting. In The Broken Bridge from this classic, Fang Rujiang won the first Plum Blossom Award in the history of Ou Opera with his portrayal of the male protagonist, Xu Xian. Killing a Dog to Admonish Her Husband is one of the four major nanxi (Southern Opera) plays of China. Sharing the origin with the nanxi of the Song and Yuan period, the Ou Opera of Wenzhou retains the age-old elements but gives it a New Adaptation. The staging also models upon the old nanxi with impressive effects. Gao Ji and Wu Sanchun tells the story of a pair of lovers who, despite social class differences, dares to challenge the feudal inhibitions. Their tragic love story has been a folklore popularly told in the Zhejiang area. After being written into the Ou Opera repertory, it has won rave response from audiences all over China.

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The Legend of the White Snake

Award for Chinese Theatre and renowned Ou Opera performer, will both direct and star in this production. This Production not only follows the classical tradition but also aims to pare down the unnecessary side stories in order to achieve a lucid tale of romantic love. The staging is minimalistic yet poetic and at the same time refreshingly innovative. It accurately captures the lyricism of the water-logged scenic region south of the Yangtze River called ‘Jiangnan’. In terms of formulaic performance, equal emphasis is placed on vocal delivery and acting as well as the civil and military elements of presentation that are typical of Ou Opera. There is an exquisite beauty that runs throughout the play and appeals to both intellectual and popular taste.

The White Snake decides to morph into human forms with the Green Snake to explore the human realm. On a visit to the Broken Bridge on Hangzhou’s West Lake, under the identities of Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing, they meet Xu Xian, who has just returned from sweeping his ancestors’ graves. It is love at first sight for Xu Xian and Suzhen. The Green Snake, now called Xiaoqing, plays matchmaker and the two become a couple. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Monk Fahai, who has been tracking down Suzhen in order to catch her, lures Xu into bringing home realgar wine to share with his wife. Suzhen drinks the wine and loses her human form. Xu sees his wife’s snake form, he dies of a shock. Suzhen ventures into the mountains to steal the celestial herb and revives Xu. Fahai traps Xu in Jinshan Temple. When Suzhen demands Fahai to return her husband, the two fight a grueling battle, shaking the heaven and earth. Xu flees from Jinshan Temple to the West Lake of Hangzhou where he sees Suzhen and Xiaoqing retreating to the Broken Bridge. Xiaoqing blames Xu for his heartlessness and threatens to kill him. Suzhen reproaches him on his ingratitude. Xu admits his wrongs and pledges his fidelity. The three reconcile and continue their trip to Hangzhou.