Wing Chun is a dance drama that intertwines martial arts with modern dance, concurrently weaving collectively a twin narrative that itself employs two timelines. One follows Master Yip Man’s journey to Hong Kong and his dedication in direction of selling the martial artwork of Wing Chun. In parallel with that is the story of a younger lighting technician, Da Chun, who joins the Shenzhen Film Studios that’s making a movie referred to as Wing Chun. While filming, Da Chun practices around the clock to grasp Wing Chun and invariably follows within the footsteps of the grandmaster Yip Man himself. Da Chun, performed…
Rating
Excellent
Whether or not you’re a martial arts fan, this can be a breathtaking present that may depart you with a sense of awe and a brand new discovered respect for martial arts and dance.
Wing Chun is a dance drama that intertwines martial arts with modern dance, concurrently weaving collectively a twin narrative that itself employs two timelines. One follows Master Yip Man’s journey to Hong Kong and his dedication in direction of selling the martial artwork of Wing Chun. In parallel with that is the story of a younger lighting technician, Da Chun, who joins the Shenzhen Film Studios that’s making a movie referred to as Wing Chun. While filming, Da Chun practices around the clock to grasp Wing Chun and invariably follows within the footsteps of the grandmaster Yip Man himself. Da Chun, performed by Feng Haoran, is a captivating character who we instantly empathise with after watching him making an attempt to emulate the strikes of the celebrities he idolises after they have left the set.
The total narrative of the present is just a little complicated. If you purchase the programme and diligently learn the synopsis you’ll be high-quality, however those that are unfamiliar with the story might be forgiven for considering that Da Chung is in truth meant to be a younger Bruce Lee. That being stated, the advertising and marketing of the present may be very clear in stating that this can be a story in regards to the grandmaster Yip Man, and though he was Lee’s instructor, right here his story focusses totally on the artwork of Wing Chun.
The transitions between the 2 timelines are seamlessly implied by very intelligent lighting results by Zhang Wenjie. Right earlier than one timeline cuts into one other, a projection of a classic movie rolls alongside, with the characters of the cinematic timeline transferring in gradual movement. The lights progressively fade on them whereas your eyes are led to the following illuminated timeline.
There is a small display screen to the left hand facet of the stage displaying prompts about every scene in English and Chinese. It took me half an hour to note this display screen from the primary circle, and I used to be then left fairly conflicted over whether or not to learn or to observe the present. I quickly received used to it and located that the brief titles did in truth act as a information for what to anticipate from every scene.
The modern dance choreography has nuances of classical Chinese dance and modern ballet. In explicit the solo by Zhang Yashu, who performs the Director and Head of Baguazhang Academy, mirrors refined actions of what gave the impression to be from Flowing Water and Peach Blossom (a repertoire of conventional Chinese dance). Additionally, Xu Tianhui as Wing Sing and Chang Hongji as Yip Man have a duet that left me in tears.
There is an efficient steadiness of performances from a bunch of each female and male dancers/martial artists, and the set designs by Hu Yanjun are easy but majestic. From Lshape cityscapes on a revolving three sixty diploma stage to the big paper fan dance, all the set works in concord to reinforce the grandeur of efficiency. Wing Chun is an extended efficiency operating at two hours with a 15 minute interval, however it’s totally charming from begin to end.
Choreography and Direction by : Han Zhen and Zhou Liya
Produced By: Zhang Ling and Zhang Hua
Wing Chun runs at Sadlers Wells till seventh September. Further info and reserving can be found right here.