Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

HONG KONG audiences were immersed in a two-hour visual feast and responded enthusiastically to the potent mix of martial art and dance of Shenzhen drama “Wing Chun,” which made its Hong Kong debut Thursday night.

The highly rated Shenzhen cultural masterpiece is being staged from Thursday to Sunday, with five performances lined up.

Nearly 200 representatives from Hong Kong’s political, business, cultural, and sports sectors attended the dance drama’s first performance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) on Thursday night and showed their appreciation for the performance.

Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice president of Fok Ying Tung Group and vice chairman of All-China Youth Federation, said the drama overwhelmed him and he had heard it was very popular on the mainland with over 100 performances.

“The presentation is very unique, highlighting the characteristics of Shenzhen as well as the close bond between Shenzhen and Hong Kong over the years,” Fok said in an interview, adding that the dance drama’s premiere in Hong Kong is of special significance.

“I think what Hong Kong audiences can look forward to is the exquisite choreography infused with Chinese culture. In addition to martial arts, there is also Xiangyunsha (gambiered gauze), and the clothing is very beautiful,” Fok said.

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Iñaki Sandoval, dean of HKAPA’s School of Music, told Shenzhen Daily that he highly recommends the dance drama. “It’s a very high-level and interesting production and we’re having more and more collaboration with Shenzhen in different ways.”

The combination of martial arts and dance in “Wing Chun” is fascinating, according to Raistlin Lau Chun, undersecretary for culture, sports and tourism in Hong Kong. “It is a brilliant performance that deserves to be promoted worldwide,” Lau said.

“How can Hong Kong and Shenzhen work together to tell the stories of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [GBA] and China to the world? The answer lies in fine works,” said Jim Zeng, director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s GBA service center.

Zeng praised that “Wing Chun” is a very innovative representation of drama. “Hong Kong residents must come to watch the dance drama or they will regret it.”

According to the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, the cast of “Wing Chun” began preparing for the performances in Hong Kong six months ago. Due to venue limitations, the stage design of the Hong Kong performance has been scaled down by 20%.

Chinese martial art Wing Chun is not unfamiliar to Hongkongers, as the city has a rich history in developing and encouraging the growth of martial arts.

Wing Chun grandmaster Yip Man popularized the martial art in Hong Kong, and has influenced many famous martial artists like late Bruce Lee.