Reinterpreting Folklore Through Dance: Lady White of West Lake
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, Yau Tsim Mong 
Why We Recommend it
The Hong Kong Dance Company will stage Lady White of West Lake, a modern reinterpretation of a Chinese folklore legend about the spirit of a white snake that transforms into human form to experience the human world. An allegory of life and love.
Description
Lady White of West Lake is a reinterpretation of one of China’s Four Great Folktales, the folklore Legend of the White Snake, a timeless classic that has inspired countless film, opera and television adaptations.
This new dance drama tells the centuries-old fairytale through dance with a fresh perceptive, and explores the meaning of love, humanity, kindness and cruelty, morality and living.
The millenary love story begins on the sacred Mount Emei, where the spirit of a white snake transforms itself into a beautiful girl, Bai Suzhen (performed by Hong Kong Dance Company principle dancer Tang Ya and senior dancer Hua Chi-yu), to experience the human world. When Bai emerging at the West Lake, she meets a scholar who opens her eyes to love for the first time. But their happiness does not last long: a vindictive monk learns about their love and is outraged by the ominous union between man and spirit. The monk takes it upon himself to tear them apart, but Bai is set on defending her love with dignity and courage, even if it means fighting against Heaven and Earth.
Details
When: 24 Nov 2017 - 26 Nov 2017 Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre – 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui – Yau Tsim Mong
