What sparks might fly when Cantonese opera meets Choy Li Fut, a traditional Southern Chinese martial art?

On August 28th, the Guangzhou Yueju Opera Theater held a press conference to announce the launch of rehearsals for their newly composed opera, "Southern Fist". The opera is slated to premiere at the 9th Yangcheng Cantonese Opera Festival this November.

This production coincides with the 15th anniversary of Cantonese opera's recognition by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The creation and performance of "Southern Fist" mark another significant step in the preservation and promotion of Cantonese opera.

Celebrating patriotic spirit through the heroism of the common man

The creative team describes "Southern Fist" as a work that blends Choy Li Fut, a national intangible cultural heritage and a key style of Lingnan martial arts, with the southern school of Cantonese opera. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s, a pivotal period in the development of Southern Fist, the opera tells the story of Jiang Yilong, a martial arts champion who rose to the occasion during a national crisis, embodying the spirit of patriotism.

Through the tale of how Jiang evolves from a local hero to a national symbol, the opera showcases the strength and beauty of Lingnan martial arts and the unique charm of Cantonese opera. It pays tribute to the patriotism of common heroes, represented by the martial artists of Lingnan.

Showcasing the dual heritage of the Greater Bay Area

"Southern Fist" follows the success of"Double Embroidery Fate", another opera by the Guangzhou Yueju Opera Theater inspired by intangible cultural heritage.

Both Cantonese opera and Southern Fist are deeply rooted in the Lingnan region, sharing a rich historical connection. Southern-style martial arts are a distinctive feature of Cantonese opera performance, originating from Lingnan martial arts, including Choy Li Fut.

Established over 170 years ago, Choy Li Fut is renowned as one of the most widely practiced Southern Chinese martial arts styles, earning the reputation of "Tai Chi in the North, Choy Li Fut in the South".

Playwright Liang Yunan explains that "Southern Fist" delves into the historical context of Choy Li Fut, intertwining Cantonese opera with Lingnan martial arts to highlight the depth of Chinese martial arts and the open, inclusive spirit of Cantonese culture. 

He also notes that many characters in the opera are based on real people, with the storyline inspired by true events, though both have been artistically adapted for the stage.

A fresh interpretation of Lingnan cultural beauty

"When I hear the words 'Southern Fist', I feel a surge of passion," says director Weng Guosheng, a Guangdong native and a third-generation disciple of Peking opera master Gai Jiaotian. Trained as a martial arts actor, Weng is excited to direct this production, which he believes is exactly the kind of work needed to showcase the positive energy, heroism, and spirit of the Chinese people.

When they were creating the opera, the team found new ways to blend Cantonese opera with Choy Li Fut, leading to a fresh and harmonious synthesis. The opera retains the traditional powerful and precise martial arts style of Cantonese opera's southern school while artistically incorporating elements of Choy Li Fut, offering audiences a new aesthetic experience.

In the performance, Choy Li Fut will not only be presented as martial arts moves but will also be artistically enhanced to provide a more comprehensive and profound depiction, allowing the audience to deeply appreciate the cultural beauty inherent in Lingnan martial arts.

粤剧+蔡李佛拳，广州粤剧院新编粤剧《南拳》开排

粤剧+蔡李佛拳，会燃起怎样的艺术火花？

8月28日，新编粤剧《南拳》开排媒体见面会在广州粤剧院举行。该剧计划今年11月在第九届羊城粤剧节上展演。

正值粤剧被联合国教科文组织列入人类非物质文化遗产名录15周年之际，粤剧《南拳》的创演标志着粤剧艺术的进一步传承和弘扬。

讴歌平民英雄爱国精神

主创团队介绍，粤剧《南拳》是一部以国家级非遗、岭南拳术流派蔡李佛拳为题材，融合了南拳武术与粤剧南派表演艺术的作品。该剧以20世纪30年代南拳发展历史为背景，讲述拳王江一龙在民族危难时刻挺身抗争、展现民族大义的热血故事。

作品通过南拳英豪从世俗英雄蜕变为民族英雄的传奇叙事，展现岭南武术的阳刚之美和粤剧艺术的独特魅力，讴歌以岭南武术家为代表的平民英雄的爱国主义精神。

展示湾区双“非遗”魅力

新编粤剧《南拳》是继粤剧《双绣缘》后，广州粤剧院创排的又一部与非遗题材相关的作品。

粤剧与南拳共同扎根岭南大地，有着深厚历史渊源。南派武打是粤剧表演艺术中的一大鲜明特色，它脱胎于包括蔡李佛拳在内的岭南武术。

蔡李佛拳创立至今逾170年，享有“北有太极，南有蔡李佛”的美誉，是广东武术史上传播最广泛的南拳拳种之一。

编剧梁郁南介绍，粤剧《南拳》从蔡李佛拳发展背景切入，将粤剧与岭南武术结合起来，展现了中华武术的博大精深和粤文化的开放包容精神。

此外，梁郁南表示，粤剧《南拳》的众多人物角色均有现实原型，故事情节亦有真实事迹。剧中对人物塑造和故事叙述均进行了艺术化处理。

全新演绎岭南文化之美

“当听到‘南拳’这两个字，我的身上就充满了热血。”导演翁国生表示，自己是武生演员出身的广东籍导演，同时又是京剧大师盖叫天的第三代传人，因此接到这部剧目的导演邀约时，感到很兴奋、很激动，“我们太需要这类呈现中华民族正能量、豪气和热血的文艺作品。”

在粤剧《南拳》的创作过程中，主创团队为粤剧和蔡李佛拳找到新的契合点，二者相辅相成，融合焕新。这部作品将在继承传统粤剧南派武打雄浑有力、硬桥硬马的艺术风格的基础上，艺术化地融合蔡李佛拳，共创粤剧表演的审美新样式。

剧中，艺术化处理的蔡李佛拳不仅是演员的拳脚功夫，其更将得到全景式和更深层次的呈现，让观众能更深刻地领略到岭南武术蕴含的人文之美。

文丨记者 黄宙辉 通讯员 文瑶
图丨陈庆忠
翻译丨赵凡
英文审校丨林佳岱