Southern culture

"I hoped to learn more about boxing and martial arts, so that I could better integrate them into the dance, which is a highlight of the choreography of this musical,"Chang says. "This musical is a challenge for everyone. Learning boxing and martial arts from scratch was a bit strange at first, but now the performers are doing a very good job of getting it right. Apart from rehearsals, I often see them practicing the dances and martial arts, or doing muscle-building workouts. I'm very happy to see them work so hard and feel for their dedication."

Apart from the regional cultural elements, the musical also strikes a balance between the traditional and the modern by adopting music genres such as rock 'n' roll and rap.

Tong Daqin, a composer of the musical and deputy director of the ensemble, says he watched several boxing films before working on the compositions, so that the music could correspond with the power of the sport and the sense of mission that drives the roles.