Shenzhen-produced dance drama "Wing Chun," centering around Bruce Lee’s instructor, kung fu master Yip Man, was staged in Hong Kong with acclaimed shows. Performed by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, the dance drama is a phenomenal show that saw sold-out performances during its tour of the Chinese mainland and Singapore in 2023, celebrated as a “must-see” show by both the critics and the audience.

Parallel storyline

While plenty of Chinese movies and TV shows have explored the life and inner world of Yip, the “Wing Chun” dance show approaches its subject in a completely new and bold way. It tells a parallel story in which Yip migrated to Hong Kong in the mid-20thcentury, began to take in disciples and teach them Wing Chun, and also includes a story about how a Shenzhen film production company tries decades later to shoot a film about Yip and pursue their dreams.

The parallel storyline adds layers of complexity to the overall narrative and allows for a richer, more multifaceted exploration of themes and characters. The well-executed, parallel storylines in the dance show demonstrates how seemingly disparate characters are interconnected. Audiences are often intrigued by the ways in which these diverse threads of the story ultimately relate to and impact one another.

A resonate theme 

Unlike the legendary characters in many martial arts fictions who often hail from ancient times and have mastered superb skills as if by fate, Yip was real and more or less a member of the common folk. His role in popularizing Wing Chun, as well as his resilience during challenging periods, has contributed to his enduring appeal for later generations. The dance drama elaborates a universal theme that everyone can chase their own dreams and be their own hero as long as they are willing to give it a try, work hard and uphold justice.

When dance meets wuxia

Wing Chun, a style of kung fu, emphasizes close-range combat, quick punches and tight defense to overcome one’s opponents. The dance drama also features other types of Chinese martial arts, including tai chi and eight fixed palms. The dance show creators invited Wing Chun inheritors to train the 40-plus dancers, who make “Wing Chun” a stunning experience for the audience to appreciate the beautiful dance moves mixed with Wing Chun moves. Chang Hongji, who plays Yip Man, has wowed the audience on the Chinese mainland and Singapore with his crisp, flexible moves that are highly demanding.

Visual spectacle

The fluid and continuous nature of Wing Chun movements can be particularly captivating to watch, with emphasis on agility, precision and adaptability. The visual appeal of the dance drama, including the elegant gambiered Canton gauze costumes, time-traveling stage design, and unique choreography, contributes significantly to its charm. The interplay of lights, shadows and movements also create a visually stunning and immersive experience.

Chinese cultural charm

Wing Chun enjoys global popularity. The “Wing Chun” dance drama incorporates two national-level intangible cultural heritages, Wing Chun and gambiered Canton gauze, showcasing the beauty of Lingnan traditions and Chinese culture.

深圳精品舞剧《咏春》香港首演大获成功

深圳重点打造的精品舞剧《咏春》日前在香港首演大获成功。这部讲述李小龙师父、功夫宗师叶问的“现象级”舞剧，以深圳歌剧舞剧院作为创演主体，在2023年走遍祖国大江南北，在新加坡完成了艺术出海首秀，以破竹之势迎来口碑与票房双丰收，被业内人士和观众誉为“必看舞剧”。

双线叙事

有关叶问的影视剧有很多，但舞剧《咏春》以全新、大胆的方式，采用双线叙事，讲述叶问在上世纪50年代在香港传授咏春拳的故事，同时在另一个时空，一群深圳年轻人在拍摄一部有关叶问的电影,他们追求梦想、彼此成就。双线叙事使故事情节更丰富，多层面地探讨主题和人物。巧妙的悬念布局，引发观众好奇。两个时空中的人物看似不相关，但在情感表达上相互渗透，使本剧具有独特魅力。

共鸣的主题

与武侠小说中那些来自古代、身怀绝技的传奇人物不同，叶问是真实存在的人，他普及咏春，在困境中坚韧不屈的英雄精神，持续感染着后人。舞剧《咏春》正是阐述了一个普世的主题，旨在表达“凡人之躯，亦可比肩侠影”，只要肯尝试、努力奋斗并坚持正义，每个人都可以追逐自己的梦想，成为英雄。

武舞相融

咏春是一种近身格斗、快速出拳和严密防守的功夫，剧中还呈现了八卦掌和太极拳。剧组专门邀请了咏春拳传承人指导40多名舞者，把亦刚亦柔的舞蹈与咏春拳相融合，呈现了一场视觉盛宴。在中国内地和新加坡巡演的时候，饰演叶问的常宏基以干净、灵活又极具挑战性的舞姿使观众为之倾倒。

视觉盛宴

咏春拳的魅力之一是其流畅的动作，强调灵活性、精准性和适应性。舞剧《咏春》的视觉吸引力，包括优雅飘逸的香云纱服装、穿越时空的舞台设计和独特的舞蹈编排，极大地增添了其魅力。光与影和舞蹈动作的交织营造了一个令人惊叹的沉浸式体验。

中华文化魅力

咏春拳是走向世界的中国功夫，舞剧《咏春》将“咏春拳”和“香云纱”两个国家级非遗恰到好处地融入剧情和舞台表演中，反映岭南风情和中国传统文化之美，让中华优秀传统文化焕发新活力。