This April and May the prestigious Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre will tour Russia with performances on the two foremost stages of the country – the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. The celebrated Chinese company will present its original dance drama, Wing Chun, Legend of Kung-Fu Master, to audiences in both capitals.
Performances will take place on 25 and 26 April (at 12:00 and 19:00) at the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre and on 30 April and 1 May (at 12:00 and 18:00) at Mariinsky II. These appearances mark a significant cultural event for both Russia and China, strengthening bonds of friendship and supporting an active cultural exchange during the 2025 Cross Year of Culture declared by the two countries.
Wing Chun, Legend of Kung-Fu Master is a dance drama that merges martial arts with choreography. This visually striking production combines choreographed combat, dynamic movement and sweeping storytelling across eras – transporting the audience from the late 20th century to the depths of China’s cultural legacy.
The performance unfolds along two parallel storylines. One follows the life of Master Yip Man, who travels to Hong Kong to spread his martial art style. The other immerses the audience in the world of the 1990s Shenzhen Film Studio, where a movie inspired by Yip Man’s legacy is being produced.
While centred on a Chinese hero, the production also pays tribute to everyday people. It is a tale of striving toward ideals – one that unites the expressive beauty of dance with the mesmerising precision of traditional martial arts, making for a truly distinctive work of theatre.
The world premiere of Wing Chun took place in China in late 2022. Since then the production has been performed 242 times across 47 cities and 57 theatres worldwide – including prestigious venues such as Sadler’s Wells in London and the Palais des Congrès de Paris.
Founded on 28 March 2018, the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre includes an opera company, a dance troupe and a chorus – comprising a total of 140 artists. The ensemble has participated in numerous major events, including the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Spring Festival gala concerts broadcast by China Central Television (2019), the Shenzhen Spring Festival Gala (2019–2024) and celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (2020).
Today the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre is regarded as one of China’s most respected cultural institutions, seamlessly blending traditional Chinese aesthetics with the latest trends in global performing arts. Among its original productions are the operas Daughter of the Earth and The Pioneer and the contemporary dance drama Dream Hunter as well as Wing Chun, which will soon be unveiled to audiences in Russia’s two great cultural capitals.
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