A classic tale retold

"In this production, Xiaoqing is the alter ego of Bai, who is such a suppressed woman that she sometimes looks numb, but deep inside there is a different self and a wild side that's longing for freedom and happiness," says Tan.

"Just like snakes going through hibernation, awakening and shedding their skin, women also need to accomplish a process of self-discovery to bring out the passionate and carefree inner self, so that they can be true to themselves."

According to Zhang, White Snake is the latest project in the theater's efforts to engage audiences by adapting traditional art and culture to contemporary theater themes.

"The story of White Snake has been told so many times, in theater, movies and cartoons, but then we thought about dance — a language without spoken words. We felt it could inspire new imagination. The dance production will bring together classical Chinese dancers and ballet performers," says Zhang.

"White Snake will open a new chapter in China's modern dance scene."

Most of the lead performers in the new production are ballet dancers, except for a few Chinese classical dancers such as Song Jie and Tan Yimei, the actresses who play Xiaoqing, the Green Snake, and Song Yu, the actor who plays Fahai and the psychiatrist.

The language of dance movements is intercommunicable, says Tan Yimei. "Xiaoqing is a figure that appears in Bai's dream, representing the natural, untainted side of her," she says. "She is neither human nor snake, but rather something in-between, a free spirit."

At the beginning of the production, Xiaoqing is a dark shadow following Bai around while whispering in her ears, so there are dance scenes featuring the two female dancers.

In Chinese folk and classical dance, performers do not use their toes the way ballerinas do. As such, Tan Yimei has been learning to support and protect her dance partner while trying to create movements that are "beautiful and safe at the same time".

Liang has designed individual dance movements for the characters so that they can best express their strong points. Liang was a dancer with New York City Ballet for more than 10 years before becoming a dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater and discovering a newfound passion for choreography. As a choreographer, Liang has won many international prizes, including an Emmy Award in 2017 for his short dance film Vaulted. He was invited by Tan Yuanyuan, a longtime collaborator, to create White Snake in Shanghai.

"Now more than ever, the art world is trying to bring audiences back to the theaters with new creations and fine productions that touch, move and inspire," he says. "I am fortunate to be a part of this project and working with such incredible artists."