Dance | Lady White Snake
Shanghai Grand Theatre's dance Lady White Snake is a groundbreaking reimagining of China's timeless folk legend, The Tale of the White Snake. Moving beyond traditional narrative, this production transforms a thousand-year-old story into a profound exploration of the human psyche, where dance becomes a language of deep psychological revelation. Under the artistic direction of international ballet star Tan YuanYuan, Lady White Snake blends Eastern and Western dance languages, breathing new life into this timeless Chinese tale through a global lens, while showcasing the oriental aesthetic in the Jiangnan style.
In this version, Lady White Snake, Xu Xian, and Fa Hai are reinterpreted as the modern wife, husband and psychotherapist, respectively. Meanwhile, Xiao Qing (Green Snake) emerges as a liminal character, dancing between worlds and embodying the untamed id in a relentless pursuit of selfhood. The characters seamlessly blend the ancient and the modern, complementing and echoing each other, while creating a striking contrast between reality and illusion.
Creative Team
Artistic Director: TAN YuanYuan
Director: ZHOU Ke
Choreography: WANG Peixian
Music: XU Zhong
Dramaturgy: LUO Zhou
Set Design: GAO Guangjian
Lighting & Projection Design: XIAO Lihe
Video Design: FENG Jiangzhou
Costume Design: Viola ZHANG
Special thanks to Edwaard LIANG
Performed by Shanghai Opera House Dance Ensemble
Tour Management: CPAA Productions Ltd.
Cast "Moon"
Wife / Lady White: AO Dingwen
Husband / Xu Xian: WU Husheng
Xiao Qing: TAN Yimei
Psychologist / Fa Hai: SONG Yu
Cast "Luck"
Wife / Lady White: LIU Sirui
Husband / Xu Xian: SUN Jiayong
Xiao Qing: WANG Nianci
Psychologist / Fa Hai: SU Hailu
*All information on artists and duration is subject to change.