Local version of Kunqu classic captivates audiences in Hunan

The full-length Hunan Kunqu Opera adaptation of a celebrated Chinese legend premiered in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, on Wednesday, drawing a packed house of enthusiastic spectators.

Leifeng Ta (The Leifeng Pagoda), based on the beloved folktale The Legend of the White Snake, is widely regarded as one of the most important classics of Kunqu Opera and a "touchstone" repertoire for actors. This new version, presented by the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe, vividly integrates elements of Hunan's local culture into the performance, including the use of regional dialects in the characters' dialogue and adaptations to the storyline.

For over two hours, the audience at the Meixihu International Culture and Arts Center Grand Theater was swept between tender romance and thrilling martial spectacle. When the warrior characters performed their signature moves — including breathtaking high-platform somersaults and the flowing long silk ribbons unique to Hunan Kunqu Opera — gasps of amazement filled the theater.

The creative team also reconstructed the inner world of the heroine Bai Suzhen, a millennia-old snake spirit who transforms into a woman and falls in love with a mortal man, Xu Xian.

"In the traditional Kunqu versions, Bai Suzhen is often presented as gentle, virtuous, and long-suffering," explained Liu Jie, the lead actress who portrayed the character. "But in our version, she is a 'spicy girl'."

Recognizing a shift in contemporary aesthetics — particularly regarding women's independence — the team placed Bai at the absolute narrative center of the storyline. This version focuses on her complete emotional journey — from deep devotion to fierce resistance. On stage, they created a heroine with characteristics of a modern woman: bold and decisive in both love and struggle.

Unlike the traditional ending, in which Bai is trapped under Leifeng Pagoda forever, this production offers audiences emotional relief with a happy ending. Bai and her lover Xu are reunited at the Broken Bridge, reaffirming their love.

"Every time Bai Suzhen was in danger, my heart was in my throat," Li Yanzi, a longtime Kunqu enthusiast, said. "I love this ending because I truly believe two sincere people belong together."