Gen Z brings Sichuan Opera's White Snake to life

Wan Yuehan, a post-2000s Sichuan Opera actress from the Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theater, brings the legendary Lady White to life in "The Legend of the White Snake." While many young people today are diving into modern forms of entertainment, Wan Yuehan's journey into the traditional world of Sichuan Opera began at the age of 10.

She is part of a team of actors and performers born in the 2000s who also started their opera journey at a similar age. This team, composed mostly of young performers, demonstrates how the timeless story of Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian continues to captivate generations.

"The Legend of the White Snake" is an iconic tale in Chinese culture, where Xu Xian, a man, falls in love with Bai Suzhen, a female snake spirit who transforms into a beautiful woman. The opera version of the story, with its themes of love, betrayal and sacrifice, is one of the most beloved in Sichuan Opera.

In Sichuan Opera, the Huadan role is typically filled by a lively, straightforward maiden, while the Wudan role, as played by Wan Yuehan, is reserved for female characters skilled in martial arts. This duality of roles is part of what makes Sichuan Opera so unique. Wan Yuehan, when donning the costume of Lady White, fully embodies the Wudan character, showcasing her martial prowess and passionate performance.

With the growing interest in traditional Chinese culture in recent years, especially through social media, Chinese opera, including Sichuan Opera, has found its way into the hearts of younger audiences. Wan's short videos, showcasing her talent and the beauty of Sichuan Opera, have gone viral, drawing even more young people into the world of "The Legend of the White Snake" and other traditional performances.

Sichuan Opera, which originated in Sichuan province around 1700, is known for its dramatic features like face-changing, a cappella singing, and its off-stage chorus. Described by its practitioners as "hot and spicy," Sichuan Opera captures the essence of Chinese traditional performance in a way that continues to resonate with modern audiences.