Ip Man Story Told Through Dance Drama

Written by Chantal Gapato  |  December 19, 2025

The dance drama Wing Chun, created by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre, is currently being staged at Meridian Hall in Toronto. The production opened on 16 December 2025 and will run through 4 January 2026.

Wing Chun tells the story of Ip Man, the influential martial arts master widely known as the teacher of Bruce Lee. The production follows his efforts to establish his Wing Chun school, his personal struggles and the defining moments of his life. While the story is familiar to many through film adaptations, this production presents the narrative through choreography, theatrical staging and large ensemble movement.

The Toronto engagement marks the North American debut of the production. Prior to this run, Wing Chun toured internationally, appearing in 62 theatres across 51 cities for approximately 265 performances, reaching total audiences of more than 340,000.

The production employs a story within a story structure. Alongside Ip Man’s journey, the narrative introduces Dachun, a lighting technician working on a 1990s film production about the martial artist. The two narratives intersect throughout the performance, creating parallel themes of ambition, adversity and perseverance.

The story unfolds across six chapters titled Standing Firm, Wandering, Aspiration, Farewell, Adversity and Inheritance. Two screens positioned on either side of the stage provide contextual information and chapter titles as the scenes progress.

Choreography blends traditional Chinese dance with contemporary movement influenced by Western ballet. The performance includes large ensemble sections, stylized tableaux and martial arts inspired fight sequences. In the second half, Ip Man is shown encountering other martial arts disciplines including Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Baji Quan and Praying Mantis boxing.

The role of Ip Man is performed by Chang Hongji, a principal dancer of the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre. He is joined by an ensemble that portrays both the martial arts world and the film production crew within the narrative.

The staging features a rotating set constructed from building facades that shift between street scenes, interior spaces and abstract environments. The production incorporates more than 200 props and nearly 300 costumes. Costumes are made using Gambiered Guandong gauze, a silk fabric produced through traditional methods involving multiple techniques and plant based dyes.

Lighting design plays a central role in shaping the visual narrative, distinguishing between Ip Man’s life story and the film production sequences. The musical score combines Chinese and Western musical elements and supports both dramatic and lyrical moments.

The production is presented by TO Live, ADEM Company Inc. and the Canada China Cultural Development Association. It is produced by the International Cultural Exchange Shenzhen and the Culture, Tourism, Sports, Radio and Television Bureau of Shenzhen. Direction and choreography are by Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, whose previous works have been staged at major international venues including the Sydney Opera House and the Kennedy Center.

As part of its community engagement efforts, blocks of tickets for the Toronto run have been donated to non profit organizations including the Canadian Cancer Society, the SickKids Foundation and CAMH.

Tickets for Wing Chun are available through 4 January 2026.

Photo courtesy of Wingchundancedrama.com