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Synopsis

"Madam White Snake" is a very beautiful Chinese legend. The story originated in the Tang Dynasty about a thousand years ago. It revolves on the romance between a snake fairy and a scholar.

Bai Shu Zhen (Madam White Snake), a snake fairy fell in love with an Immortal named Gui Zhi, thus infringing the heavenly rules. As a punishment, Bai Shu Zhen was imprisoned in the Lily Pond while Gui Zhi was stripped of his supernatural powers and banished to earth.

Bai Shu Zhen managed to free herself and on her way to earth saved Xiao Qing, the green snake fairy. Out of gratitude Xiao Qing served her as her maid.

At the West Lake they met Gui Zhi who by then was a poor scholar assuming the name of Xu Xian and running a medicine shop. Xiao Qing created a boatman and both of them acted as the matchmaker for Bai Shu Zhen and Xu Xian. Atter marriage, Bai Shu Zhen commenced her charity work by healing the sick and giving free medicine to the poor. Her act of charity angered Fa Hai, the Chief Abbot of Jin Shan Monastery as less and less people patronized his Jin Shan Monastery resulting in his coffers running dry.

Fa Hai concocted a devious plan. He spiked the wine Xu Xian offered to Bai Shu Zhen on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival. Bai Shu Zhen was transformed back into a snake thus frightened Xu Xian to death. In a desperate move she went up to the Kun Lun Mountains to steal the magic herb. She was almost killed by the heavenly guards. Fortunately the God of Longevity appeared in time and gave her the magic herb to revive Xu Xian.

Seeing that his plan had failed, Fa Hai abducted Xu Xian and challenged Bai Shu Zhen to reveal her true identity to Xu Xian. Should Xu Xian remain faithful after knowing her real background, then Fa Hai would leave the couple alone. Bai Shu Zhen took up the challenge and won. Fa Hat however fell back on his word and took Xu Xian by force to the Jin Shan Monastery. In her fury and in haste to rescue Xu Xian, Bai Shu Zhen led an army of sea creatures and attacked the Jin Shan Monastery and saved Xu Xian from the evil hands of Fa Hai. The opera ends on this note.

This opera comprising eight scenes, has two unique features. Firstly it is presented in Mandarin, secondly the scene on "Stealing The Magic Herb' is a mime. This opera demonstrates all the components of Chinese Opera, viz Singing, Acting, Speech, Dialogue, Dance, and Martial Art.

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