'Wing Chun' to dazzle GBA arts festival as grand finale

Shenzhen’s acclaimed original dance drama “Wing Chun” is set to captivate Hong Kong audiences as the grand finale of the Fourth Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, scheduled for Nov. 22 to 24. 

A poster for the upcoming performances of "Wing Chun" in Hong Kong. Photos courtesy of the event organizers

The production, which promotes the creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture, will showcase a new form of Chinese heritage to Hong Kong, deepening emotional ties between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.

The dance drama, already a sensation after its successful European tour and a previous grand performance in Hong Kong earlier this year, is making a triumphant return with a special edition this time. 

An outdoor advertisement for"Wing Chun" in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. 

This special edition, a collaboration with Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, infuses local Hong Kong elements into the classic narrative, fostering cultural integration and exchange between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

The performance boasts a lineup of top talent from Hong Kong. Renowned conductor Fung Ka-hing will lead The Symphonic Pops in providing live accompaniment, while Christina Huang Danyang, a graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and now an actor at Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, will join the cast, bringing fresh energy to the stage.

An outdoor advertisement for "Wing Chun" at the entrance of the Hong Kong Cultural Center. 

The “Wing Chun” craze has been building since the pre-sale announcement. Originally scheduled for three performances, the demand was so high that two additional shows were added, both of which sold out quickly.

In a bid to engage the younger generation, the rehearsal venue for “Wing Chun” will open to Hong Kong young students at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on Nov. 22. Through a special exploration and exchange activity, young people in Hong Kong will gain valuable insights into the artistic production process of the dance drama, fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form.

A poster for the upcoming performances of "Wing Chun" in Hong Kong.

During this year’s National Day holiday, “Wing Chun” was performed at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France with four performances, receiving an overwhelming response from French audiences. Prior to this, the dance drama was staged with 12 shows at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, the U.K., from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, setting a record for the longest commercial run and the most number of shows for a Chinese dance drama in Europe, achieving both critical acclaim and box office success.