Do Chinese kids know better about biblical Genesis stories than folk legends, such as the giant who created the world by separating earth from heavens, or the sharp archer that shoots down nine burning suns but leaves only one alive just to provide enough warmth and light to the humankind? At least on the theatrical stage, that may well have been the case before, but no more now. Shanghai-based troupes are revisiting Chinese mythology with an innovative touch that has successfully captured big audiences.

Shanghai Puppet Theater's Genesis: Patch up the Sky recounts how the goddess Nüwa melted stones to mend cracks in the heavens. Real actors perform on-stage together with puppets, a break-away from the traditional form of Chinese puppet shows. Even the puppets come in enriched forms, incorporating wooden dolls and shadow forms boosted by creative lighting effects. Background music merges traditional Chinese instrumental pieces with Western elements.

A modern sophistication is embedded into the ancient survival story about how our early ancestry fought the sheer power of the elements, as kids and parents get to think more about our harmonious co-existence with nature and other lives. To better connect mythology to contemporary life, the theater has used green materials to create the set-up, a clear message to environment-savvy metropolitan families.

Even traditional local folk theaters are innovating and experimenting with new renditions of mythological stories. Shanghai's Huai and Kun Opera Troupes are offering distinct narratives about how Chinese forefathers have braved the elements and achieved harmonious growth between man and nature.

Chinese mythology, as part of the tremendous and complex Chinese experience through millennia, offers many gems to be re-discovered, theatrically, literally, and in other forms. Such gems deserve the attention and curiosity of the modern generation.

Admittedly, Chinese mythology per se is not content readily digestible by contemporary audiences, particularly young people. In essence, mythology is a unique form of narrative to reflect ancient people's understanding of life and universe, or even their philosophical approach to reconcile realities with ideals. Therefore, we need artistic creativity and serious innovation. I laud contemporary artists' effort to find inspiration in ancient folklore, and I hope to see even more such artistic renditions that combine tradition with modernity.

Mythology is the creative work of tremendous imagination. Revisiting and incorporating a modern context, ancient mythology has the power to ignite contemporary imagination, not only in young people, but also among all populations.

Burdened by tough schoolwork all day and no time for fun? Feeling dull by the gray, monotonous, and suffocating urban concrete forests around you? Kids and adults alike need salvation, just to save the capacity for dreaming, daring, and imagining, and their salvation may easily come in the form of revisited mythology.

Municipal support for meaningful cultural projects plays a key role, particularly in revisited mythology that doesn't seem to offer handsome ROIs, at least at first sight. Existing and new theatrical mythology projects seem to do well across the innovative troupes, and the good work shall be carried on. 

Meanwhile, I hope contemporary audiences, while enjoying the innovative formats of presentation on-stage, are open to big, bold imaginations about life's purpose, humankind's relations with nature and environment, and philosophical approach to life's many challenges and dilemmas. These are the same big themes explored by our ancestors, sometimes romantically, thus resulting in fascinating mythology as we enjoy today. Let's continue these meaningful explorations, in the modern context, and encourage our young to do the same.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Global Times.

Illustration: Lu Ting/GT