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Chloe Loung

To mark the 85th birthday of Bruce Lee, the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) has teamed up with two heavyweights from film and jazz for a new dance drama called Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way.
Debuting on November 27, this fusion of martial arts, dance and jazz promises to do more than celebrate Lee’s life; it will reflect the complex, hybrid identity of Hong Kong itself, its creators say, and present Lee’s philosophy as a source of inspiration for a new generation.
Lee himself was a great dancer and was crowned the Crown Colony Cha-Cha champion in Hong Kong in 1958.
Yang Yuntao, choreographer and the HKDC artistic director, says his primary inspiration came from Lee’s handwritten letters, which reveal how the martial artist – who coined the phrase “Be water, my friend” – embodied the changing forms of water to overcome personal and professional challenges.
Yang also incorporated elements of Lee’s jeet kune do – the martial arts expression of his philosophy that uses minimal movements for maximum effect – and required dancers to channel Lee’s spirit as well as copy his movements.

“The continuity of movements can be achieved through a shift in the centre of gravity, which directly affects the use of the spine in simulating the permeability of water,” senior dancer Huang Haiyun says – and the result is a lot of improvisation.
Demonstrating the conviction of a fully-fledged disciple, Huang, who will play Lee, goes on to describe how he has devoted time every day to study Lee’s thinking, practising jeet kune do and reading his writing to live up to Lee’s transformative powers and authenticity.
“I want to achieve a natural expression in the performance rather than mechanical imitation. In contemporary society, especially in the context of globalisation and increasingly complex identity, Bruce Lee’s story can use the metaphor of dance to trigger the audience’s reflection on fulfilling one’s potential, cultural integration and social change,” he says.
Beyond the dance components, award-winning art director Man Lim-chung and jazz musician Patrick Lui bring their expertise to frame Lee’s legacy and the city he was raised in as parallel conduits between East and West.
Man, best known for his film work with directors such as Ann Hui On-wah and Wong Kar-wai, has given much thought to the costume design for dancers, on how the fabric accentuates the flow or rhythm of movement.

“During the design process, I wanted to reflect the introspection, contradictions and struggles within Bruce Lee’s ideological spirit. Of course, this has to be done while ensuring that the tailoring and material selection will assist in the display of kung fu movements, full of power yet intentional, as well as the large-scale, high-intensity physical performance required for the dance,” he says.
As for the music, the unexpected choice of jazz will help present a stark, innovative contrast between martial arts and contemporary dance, Lui says.
“Jazz, Chinese dance and martial arts – it’s the pulse that gives each form its vitality. Just like in music, different kung fu movements have distinct tempos and dynamics, and that naturally inspires my writing.
“Bruce Lee believed in taking what is useful and not confining oneself to rigid styles or traditions. I approach music the same way. Rather than sticking strictly to definitions of jazz or Chinese music, I focus on what sound or feeling best expresses the moment. It’s about honesty and freedom – staying true to the music itself, just as Lee stayed true to his art.”
In the process of reinventing Lee’s philosophy as a “spiritual explorer”, Huang believes that the most profound emotional core lies in conveying his central concept of “infinite possibilities”.
Throughout Lee’s life, he constantly broke through the boundaries of race, culture, body and mind, he says.
“Everyone can be like Bruce Lee, through transformation, transcending external limitations and living their true self.”
“Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way”, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, November 27 to December 7.


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“Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way” by the Hong Kong Dance Company reframes the star’s legacy as a vibrant, ongoing artistic conversation. Photo: HKDance

Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way is a fusion of martial arts, dance and jazz, reflecting the different tempos and dynamics of kung fu moves. Photo: HKDance 

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‘Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way’ by the Hong Kong Dance Company is a high-energy mix of martial arts, dance and jazz


‘Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way’ by the Hong Kong Dance Company is a high-energy mix of martial arts, dance and jazz.


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Bruce Lee’s life, philosophy and kung fu style celebrated in Hong Kong dance drama

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way’ by the Hong Kong Dance Company is a high-energy mix of martial arts, dance and jazz

‘Kung Fu Artistry – Bruce Lee’s No Way as Way’ by the Hong Kong Dance Company is a high-energy mix of martial arts, dance and jazz