'Wing Chun' stars connect with Toronto fans through dialogue

Videos by Lin Songtao

Following its second high-energy performance at Meridian Hall on Wednesday night, local time, the cast and crew of the Shenzhen dance drama “Wing Chun” broke the “fourth wall” to engage in a face-to-face dialogue with Toronto audience.

The post-show talk featured the production’s celebrated choreographer alongside eight lead actors, including principal dancer Chang Hongji who portrays grandmaster Ip Man. For the audience, the session transformed a grand spectacle into a personal cultural exchange.

The cast and crew of “Wing Chun” exchange ideas with audience members during a post-show talk at Meridian Hall in Canada. Photos by Zhou Hongsheng unless otherwise stated

Audience members at the post-show talk.

The production, which blends the grit of martial arts with the elegance of contemporary dance, left theatergoers stunned by its technical complexity. Marco Francisco, originally from the Philippines, noted that the live experience far surpassed expectations.

“I was amazed that I was able to watch it in real combat, not just in a movie,” he said. “The drama, the interconnection of the grouping dance... it was wonderful.”

For some in the crowd, the performance was more than just art — it was a reflection of a lifelong discipline. Mike Stafford, who has practiced the martial art of Wing Chun for 40 years, praised the authenticity of the movement from the opening curtain. “It was all good right from the very beginning.”

Beyond the kicks and pivots, the story’s emotional core — focused on the “relentless pursuit of dreams” — moved many to tears. Milka Matejic, a regular at Toronto’s cultural events, highlighted a specific scene involving the loss of a student as the emotional pinnacle of the night.

Audience members pose for a selfie. Zhang Yu

“I was crying at the end... it’s a real masterpiece,” she remarked. “You have the fight, but at the same time, you have the very lyric and gentle dance between the master and his wife. You can feel it.”

She also noted the unique energy in the room, mentioning the rare mid-performance applause that signaled a deep “reaction between audience and dancers.”

While “Wing Chun” is scheduled for 20 performances at Meridian Hall through Jan. 4, 2026, Matejic is already calling for a longer run. “I think that everyone should be here,” she urged. “They should stay till March. Everything is going to be sold out.”