'Wing Chun' strikes a chord in Toronto

Before the curtain rose on the dance drama “Wing Chun” at Toronto’s Meridian Hall, Jenny told the Shenzhen News Group she hoped the performance would help her children — both of Chinese descent growing up in Canada — connect more deeply with their Chinese cultural heritage.

Audience members gather for photos in front of a "Wing Chun" promotional poster at Toronto’s Meridian Hall on Dec. 28. Photos by Chen Siqi

Undeterred by snowfall, Jenny arrived two hours early with her two daughters, 14-year-old Jessica and 12-year-old Elise, to volunteer at the venue Dec. 27 local time. The sisters greeted arriving audience members and introduced them to the show’s plot and related merchandise.

“In Toronto, I’ve seen lion and dragon dances during Chinese Lunar New Year, but martial arts performances are rare. I thought this would be pretty fun,” Jessica said.

The 20-show run of “Wing Chun” in Toronto has gained significant traction on social media, particularly within overseas Chinese communities. Many Chinese students and residents in Canada have shared their experiences on WeChat and other platforms, generating enthusiastic responses.

“The show is very influential among our friend circles,” Jenny said. “We saw friends posting live photos and encouraging others in the diaspora to see it.”

Godwin Chan (L), deputy mayor of York Regional Council and chair of its Economic Development Committee, poses for a photo with a staffer from the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater.

This sentiment was echoed by Godwin Chan, deputy mayor of York Regional Council and chair of its Economic Development Committee. “Many friends recommended the show to me,” he said. “With it ending Jan. 4, I wanted to come and experience it for myself.”

Chan praised the production’s reliance on physical storytelling. “There are almost no spoken lines — the narrative is conveyed almost entirely through dance, which demands an exceptionally high level of skill from the performers,” he said. “The dance requires softness, while the Wing Chun movements require toughness. I’m grateful to have watched such a fantastic show on a snowy day like this.”

Chen Jingxi proudly displays autographs from "Wing Chun" performers following the show.

Another theatergoer, Chen Jingxi, attended with her family and eagerly queued to get autographs from the dancers. Having once practiced Wing Chun under one of Ip Man’s students, she commended the cast’s dedication to mastering the martial art.

“From their movements, you can tell they aren’t just posing — they can genuinely perform Wing Chun,” Chen said. “It was very moving. It’s hard to imagine how much hard work must have gone on behind the scenes.”

Wang Aiyuan, a high school sophomore who moved to Toronto from Shenzhen, said she felt a surge of pride watching a standout production from her hometown. “I felt a strong sense of national honor,” she said. “I hope the show continues to grow and succeed.”