Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

A HEAVY snowfall blanketed Toronto, swiftly covering the posters for the Shenzhen original dance drama “Wing Chun” outside the Meridian Hall. Undeterred by the weather, the dancers arrived at the venue’s rehearsal hall by 2 p.m., hours before their evening show, for a rigorous group training session.

Now midway through its Toronto run of 20 shows, “Wing Chun” has drawn praise from international audiences, with many applauding the dancers’ performance. But what does their practice routine look like during a demanding overseas tour? Shenzhen News Group observed the cast’s backstage discipline to find out.

“If there’s a show in the evening, we always train between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.,” said Li Chenzhe, deputy head of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater. “This includes barre work, physical conditioning, and cast rehearsals.”

Why stick to a strict daily practice after traveling thousands of kilometers from Shenzhen? Li emphasized its importance. “Daily training is fundamental for a professional dancer. It’s essential to maintain both physical readiness and mental focus,” he said.

“After group training, we often stay for additional personal practice to adapt to different roles and adjust to our physical condition each day,” said Chen Xianzhe, one of the performers.

Being one of the dancers portraying the legendary martial artist Ip Man, Chen also performs in ensemble pieces. He said that he plays up to five different roles in a single show. “Many of us portray multiple characters,” Chen said.

While “Wing Chun” is acclaimed for its dynamic fusion of classical dance, modern movement, and martial arts, the production also shines in its detailed ensemble storytelling, such as its vivid portrayal of the 72 tenants in Ip Man’s early life.

Li added that the drama’s 37 actors portray a far greater number of characters. “Every character counts,” he said, invoking a principle well understood in theatrical circles: “There are no small roles.”

Professional audience member Pierre Des Marais, artistic and executive director of Danse Danse, praised the dancers after the Dec. 29 performance: “The dancers were truly excellent, top-notch in skill. You don’t need words; the way they move and express tells the story so clearly.”

“Even though the dancers are young, we can tell they have a very solid foundation. What we saw is a testament to the adage that one minute on stage requires 10 years of practice off it,” said Godwin Chan, deputy mayor of the city of Richmond Hill and chair of the Economic Development Committee.

For Lyu Chengliang, director and actor of “Wing Chun,” the commitment remains absolute, no matter how many times the show has been staged. “Even though ‘Wing Chun’ has been performed over 200 times, approaching 300, we still treat every single show as if it were our first,” she said.