'Inspiring' Chinese dance and martial arts show ends London run

Actors from Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater's production of Wing Chun performed at Sadler's Wells in London meet the audience after the end of a performance. Wing Chun, presented by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater at the Sadler's Wells dance venue, tells the story of martial arts master Yip Man. The Seeing Dance website called it "a stunning evening … everything about Wing Chun exceeds expectations", while Everything Theatre described it as "a breathtaking show that will leave you with a feeling of awe and a newfound respect for martial arts and dance". Christopher Bannerman, a visiting professor at the London Contemporary Dance School and founding director of the Cross-Art project at Beijing Dance Academy, said blending dance with what he called "the body culture of martial arts, handed down through thousands of years of Chinese history … has unlocked something — by cleverly channeling that energy, a new movement language has emerged". Wang Yun, counselor of China's Embassy in the United Kingdom, praised the work of the show's creative team and said that one audience member, Josephine Chanter, deputy director of London's Design Museum, had commented how the performers "flew around the stage like birds" and said the performance had "opened a window to allow the audience to get into the spirit of wing chun and recognize Chinese culture".