Blending dance and martial arts, Wing Chun impresses Toronto audiences

The original Shenzhen dance drama Wing Chun staged its third captivating performance on Dec 18 in Toronto, Canada, stirring up a wave of enthusiasm among the audience.

"It was absolutely stunning, with such an immersive atmosphere, which truly opened my eyes. I highly recommend it to everyone," said Deng Haoze, a student from the University of Toronto. As a Chinese national, Deng felt proud to see a Chinese dance drama performed in Canada, giving local audiences a firsthand glimpse of the excellence of Chinese art and the exceptional artistry of Chinese dancers.

Fatmir Ajazi, a Canadian spectator, commented that it's quite an extensive narrative that "presents culture, and the dancers are very highly qualified". A devoted fan of Chinese culture, Ajazi has traveled to numerous cities across China and watched hundreds of Chinese films. He now plans to visit Shenzhen in Guangdong province next year.

Ukrainian filmmaker and actor Konstantyn Vl also shared his admiration for Chinese culture. His first exposure to traditional Chinese martial arts was through the iconic works of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

Lawrenzo Nathaniel Mascoe, another Canadian spectator with a background in martial arts, found Wing Chun deeply inspiring. He was particularly moved by the scene depicting Ip Man's separation from his wife and found the fight scenes particularly thrilling.

Francois Cauchon, also a Canadian spectator, said that Wing Chun was phenomenal. It was a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into Chinese culture. He also noted that the production integrates a diverse array of musical elements, complemented by the dancers' exquisite techniques, breathtaking choreography, and seamless movements, all of which combined to make the performance a flawless masterpiece.

Following the show, the lower lobby of the Meridian Hall was transformed into an "up-close art experience zone", where director Li Chenzhe and lead performers including Chang Hongji, Lyu Chengliang, Feng Haoran, Xu Tianhui, Zeng Baisheng, Lu Yuye, Chen Xianzhe, and Yang Jiulong gathered for an engaging post-performance discussion with over 100 audience members.

Lead performers gather for an engaging post-performance discussion with over 100 audience members. [Photo by Athena Zhang/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Offstage, the creators and performers revealed personalities vastly different from their onstage personas. Notably, Chang Hongji, who played Master Ip, shed his onstage image of a calm and dignified grandmaster to showcase a lively, cheerful, and humorous persona, instantly winning the hearts of the fans in attendance.

Lead performers gather for an engaging post-performance discussion with over 100 audience members. [Photo by Athena Zhang/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Lyu Chengliang, also a choreographer of the drama, explained that the production pays tribute to the unsung heroes of Chinese cinema — those who worked behind the scenes in the 1980s and 1990s, filming countless martial arts movies and passing down the spirit of kung fu through the silver screen to this day.

Chang Hongji, principal dancer of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, shared his insights on blending dance with martial arts. "We practiced wing chun, baguazhang, tanglangquan (praying mantis boxing), and other martial arts styles for about a year, and I have found that these disciplines translate remarkably well into dance choreography."

Lead performers gather for an engaging post-performance discussion with over 100 audience members. [Photo by Athena Zhang/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Dance emphasizes a continuous, pulse-like flow of breath, while martial arts hinge on channeling energy from the core and expressing power with intention. Merging these two distinct approaches requires constantly switching breathing techniques and power exertion methods, Chang said.

"We have practiced for a long time. Even after more than 280 performances, we are still refining our craft, and this journey of exploration will never end," he added.

Lead performers gather for an engaging post-performance discussion with over 100 audience members. [Photo by Athena Zhang/for chinadaily.com.cn]