Liu Hai Chopping Woodcutter is a traditional play of Hunan Flower Drum Opera. The play describes how Liu Hai, a woodcutter, went up to the mountain to cut firewood and met Hu Xiuying, a fox fairy; Hu Xiuying adored Liu Hai and was willing to abide by the poverty of the marriage, and the two of them became husband and wife. The play expresses the ideal pursuit of love and marriage by poor peasants in feudal society. The love entanglement between Liu Hai and Hu Xiuying is full of life interest. The play is full of songs and dances, lively and vivid, giving full play to the characteristics of the performing art of "two small" (clowns and small dancers) of the Flower Drum Opera.
Script Characteristics
The play, in the process of finishing, eliminated some of the original pornographic and superstitious elements, and prominently displayed the innocent love of these poor laboring youths and their aspirations for a happy life.
In particular, Liu Hai and Hu Xiuying were married by the "willow tree as a matchmaker and the mountain as a witness", and the two of them "walked the eight characters" on the stage, using the "two dragons out of the water", "Lotus out of the water" and other figures, the shape is simple and beautiful, accompanied by small suona, gongs and drums, dancing and singing, giving people a lively and light feeling.