Dance drama 'Wing Chun': Shenzhen's success story in cultural exchange

Since its premiere at the end of 2022, Shenzhen's original dance drama ''Wing Chun'' has toured 47 cities and 57 theaters across China and abroad, with 242 performances to date. Rooted in traditional Chinese culture and driven by innovation, the production offers a vivid narrative of the Chinese spirit while carving out a promising path for cultural exports — a compelling model shaped by Shenzhen on how to bring Chinese stories to the global stage.

Centering on the legacy of martial arts legend Ip Man, ''Wing Chun'' weaves its tale through the metaphor of "light," portraying a group of filmmakers in pursuit of dreams, where ordinary people emerge as unsung heroes. In September 2023, the production made its overseas debut in Singapore, winning acclaim from local audiences and diplomatic envoys from over 40 countries. The Chinese Embassy in Singapore sent a letter of appreciation, lauding the show as a new benchmark for cultural exchange between China and Singapore.

In 2024, ''Wing Chun'' ran for 12 consecutive performances at London's Sadler's Wells Theatre, achieving an average attendance rate of 80%, a record for the longest commercial run of a Chinese dance drama in Europe. Its Paris debut followed in October, with four shows at the Palais des Congrès and an impressive 97% average attendance. Jean-Noël Detay, the venue's director, praised the production for its fully market-driven approach and high level of professionalism.

The international success of ''Wing Chun'' is deeply rooted in Shenzhen's spirit of innovation and the production team's bold engagement with global performing arts markets. Merging martial arts with dance, the drama uses the universal language of movement to convey the essence of Chinese kung fu and Wuxia (literally "martial arts and chivalry") spirits, resonating with global audiences. The creative team trained intensively in martial arts for nearly a year, requiring even non-combat roles to master various martial arts forms to ensure authenticity and precision.

"Though we speak different languages, the dance drama allowed us to share profound emotions. That's the power of dance and local culture," reflected Chang Hongji, lead dancer of ''Wing Chun'' and principal performer with Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, who plays Ip Man. He recalled the moving feedback received from international audiences during post-show exchanges.

In April 2025, as part of the China-Russia Year of Culture, ''Wing Chun'' will tour Moscow and St. Petersburg, becoming the first original Chinese dance drama to perform at Russia's top-tier arts institutions. The production is set to open a new chapter in the China-Russian cultural exchange.

Source: Lingnan on the Cloud

深圳原创舞剧《咏春》打造文化“出海”样本

深圳原创舞剧《咏春》自2022年底首演以来，已在中外47座城市、57个剧场上演242场。这部承载着中国优秀传统文化精髓的舞剧，以创新为魂讲述中国故事，拓展国际商演市场，为文化“出海”提供了宝贵的“深圳样本”。

该剧以功夫大师叶问为精神核心，以“光”为媒，讲述一群电影人追光逐梦、平凡中显英雄的故事。2023年9月，《咏春》在新加坡开启海外首演，受到40多个国家驻新外交使节和当地观众热烈欢迎。中国驻新加坡大使馆专门致信感谢，称其为中新文化交流的新范本。

2024年，《咏春》赴伦敦沙德勒之井剧院连续演出12场，平均上座率达80%，创下中国舞剧在欧洲商演时间最长纪录。10月，巴黎会议宫上演四场，平均上座率高达97%。剧院负责人让-诺埃尔·德泰称其完全按照市场化机制推广运作，说明制作团队具备很高的专业水平。

舞剧《咏春》的“出海”之旅，得益于其深圳基因里“敢为人先”的创新精神和直面海外演艺市场的勇气与智慧。舞剧以武融舞，用世界通用的舞蹈语言讲述中国功夫和武侠精神，贴近国际观众审美。主创团队深入学习武术近一年，连无打戏角色也需掌握多种拳法，以求精细呈现。

“虽然语言不通，但舞剧让大家共享了一种深切的情感，这正是舞蹈和本土文化的穿透力。”回忆历次海外演出与观众交流收到的积极反馈，《咏春》叶问饰演者、深圳歌剧舞剧院首席舞者常宏基非常感慨。

2025年是中俄文化交流年，舞剧《咏春》即将于4月来到俄罗斯的莫斯科和圣彼得堡巡演，成为首支在俄罗斯“双一流”艺术殿堂完成演出的中国原创舞剧团队，续写中俄文化交流新篇。

文｜记者 郑明达

图｜受访单位提供

译 | 杨钧雅

英文审校 | 王枥焓