Chongqing - The dance drama Wing Chun will stage two performances at Chongqing Grand Theatre on Oct. 16 and 17. Combining dance and Chinese martial arts, known as wushu, the production tells the story of kung fu master Ip Man and a film crew, giving residents and visitors a chance to explore Chinese kung fu and southern Chinese culture.
Created and performed by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, the production tells its story without spoken dialogue. Movement and stage imagery carry the action, letting audiences who don't speak Chinese follow the story through the characters' interactions, dance sequences, and staged fights.
Two performers face off in a choreographed fight scene from Wing Chun. Directed and choreographed by Han Zhen and Zhou Liya, the production combines Chinese martial arts with dance. (Photo: Chongqing Grand Theatre)
Ip Man was Bruce Lee's teacher and a key figure in spreading Wing Chun. For international audiences familiar with Lee or kung fu films, that connection offers a recognizable starting point for the story.
The drama follows two connected storylines. One centers on Ip Man's efforts to pass on wing chun, while the other follows the crew making a film about him. Dachun, a retired lighting technician working at a film archive, comes across an old file that brings back memories of filming Wing Chun early in his career. His recollections link the martial artist's story with the lives of those working behind the camera.
Cast members pose with filmmaking props in a promotional image for Wing Chun. The production tells Ip Man's story while also paying tribute to the film workers who bring it to the screen. (Photo: Chongqing Grand Theatre)
On stage, the choreography draws on wing chun alongside tai chi, baguazhang (eight trigram palm), bajiquan (eight extremes fist), and tanglangquan (praying mantis boxing). Kung fu and action film fans can see how different fighting styles are brought to the stage, while dance audiences can explore how these movements help portray characters and tell the story.
The costumes also feature xiangyunsha, a traditional silk fabric from southern China’s Lingnan region. China added its dyeing and finishing techniques to the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008. The process combines plant dyes, iron-rich mud, and repeated sun-drying, bringing a local textile tradition to the stage.
Dancers in conical hats perform an ensemble Wing Chun sequence, a production that draws on the cultural traditions of southern China. (Photo: Chongqing Grand Theatre)
Han Zhen and Zhou Liya direct and choreograph the production; their previous stage productions include Poetic Dance: The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting and the dance drama The Eternal Wave.
Since its December 2022 premiere in Shenzhen, Wing Chun has traveled to countries including Singapore, Britain, and France. In 2024, it gave 12 performances at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London and four at the Palais des Congrès de Paris.
Ticket information for the Chongqing performances is available through Chongqing Grand Theatre's official WeChat mini program and ticketing platforms, such as Damai (大麦) and Maoyan (猫眼).