Wing Chun Review

August 30, 2024

Wing Chun Review

30th August – 7th September 2024

Joyway London presents: Wing Chun
Choreographed by Han Zhen and Zhou Liya | Written by Feng Shuangbai

As an exercise in soft power and propaganda it was a triumph. The audience was completely won over by the power and precision, aerial acrobatics and sheer spectacle of dance-meets-martial arts at the London premiere of Wing Chun at Sadler’s Wells.

China brought out its big guns from its London Embassy to promote this cultural extravaganza that has embarked on an international tour that kicked off Kung Fu-style with a dozen shows at Sadler’s after its debut in Shenzhen, China. Champagne, glossy programmes, fridge magnets, TV crews – all present before a diverse audience saw the curtain rise.

“It is a youthful and exuberant show with a powerful message of promoting Chinese cultural heritage”

A huge cast of martial artists tell the story of the 300 year old practice of Wing Chun and the man credited with bringing it to the world, Grandmaster Yip Man who trained the legendary Kung Fu Master and film star Bruce Lee.

It’s a play within a play, following a film crew as they shoot the story of Yip Man, spanning two generations of people chasing their dreams, fusing contemporary dance, drama, love and loss, all interwoven with the martial arts of Tai Chi, Bagua Shang, Baji Quan and Praying Mantis.

To declare an interest, my tai chi classes with Noel and Michael bear little resemblance to the smooth as silk grace of this flowing demonstration.

The entire show is a feast for the senses, from the jaw-dropping gravity-defying body spins and spirals to the faultless choreography of fight scenes as good battles evil, from the slick scene changes of the granite grey set to the silky costumes and shimmering swathes of a unique fabric called Gambiered Guangdong Gauze that takes years of ancient handcrafting and dying to produce.

Clever use of film techniques of whirring reels and spotlights, and a soundtrack of beautiful music all add to the rich theatrical mix. Silent movies meet a melange of modern ballet, elegant classical dance and furious martial arts in a fantastic fusion of styles and showmanship.

Females are well represented among the martial artists on stage to demonstrate their power, grace and balance. And rightly so, as Wing Chun, from Southern China and characterised by its close-quarter, rapid fire style, is reputed to be the only kung fu style created by a woman.

The international tour has so far clocked up 23,000 kilometres, nearly 200 performances at 48 theatres in 38 cities before audiences of 260,000, using around 200 props and 300 sets of costumes.

It is a youthful and exuberant show with a powerful message of promoting Chinese cultural heritage. Wing Chun was produced by Shenzhen International Cultural Exchange Association and Shenzhen Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, and presented by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre.

Overheard snippets from audience members included the ecstatic ‘spectacular showmanship’, ‘perfection in their art form,’ and ‘precision of performance’.