Martial Arts Theatrical to Deliver Zen to the Edinburgh Fringe Audiences

©️Fung Wai Sun / Courtesy of Theatre Ronin

Creative Team:

Director / Playwright / Stage Designer: Alex TAM
Producer: Jessie LAM
Performer: TO Yim Shan, WONG Ka Chun, CHOY Kai Fung, NG Wing Ha
Lighting Designer: Zoe CHEUNG
Composer / Sound Designer: Maj CHAN

Choreography, martial arts and folklore will combine for a stunning visual feast of imagery in Hong Kong-based Theatre Ronin's impactful return to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

Theatre Ronin will perform Practice of Zen, a 50-minute set which explores Chinese cultural and theatrical performances as a tribute to the world of 'Wuxia', a Chinese fiction genre of ancient martial artists armed with supernatural powers.

Enhanced with free-flowing movement, the show relates the story of a child brought into the world of Wuxia and how they navigate its complexities and challenges with the aid of a heroine. Practice of Zen explores diverse themes ranging from loyalty to justice, personal desires and expectations, while the martial art movements are evocative of the art of tai chi.

Fans of Asian martial arts movies, such as Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Zhang Yimou's Hero and other wuxia films, will be delighted with Practice of Zen, which will also be performed in Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles.

Wuxia, which translates to "martial arts and chivalry," is characterised by high-flying sword fights, complex ethical narratives, and mystical components, as well as a code of chivalry that gives heroes the right to redress wrongs.

"Wuxia is not just a fairytale for grown-ups, but a medium to provoke and evoke personal and social thinking," commented Alex Tam Hung Man, founder and artistic director behind Theatre Ronin.

Founded in 2006, Theatre Ronin specialises in contemporary theatrical language and distinctive, imaginative performing styles rooted in Hong Kong and global culture, delivering thought-provoking performances.

While Practice of Zen was "Highly Recommended" by the Asian Arts Award, the company's works have also been featured in various international arts festivals in Europe, Asia, and North and South America.

Practice of Zen has been previously praised for its "beautifully shot series of loosely connected dramatic scenes with smooth, elegant and intense choreography…its aesthetics are spot on", while succeeding “in evoking the spirit of Wuxia, and the performances are as fantastical as the genre deserves."

©️Fung Wai Sun / Courtesy of Theatre Ronin

Ticket Information:

Venue: theSpace on the Mile, Space One
Dates: from 1st to 16th August 2025 (not 10)
Time: 3:35 pm (50 mins)

Ticket Prices: £12 / £9 concessions
Suitable for: Age 12+
Language: Cantonese with English subtitles

For more information, please visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/practice-of-zen

©️Fung Wai Sun / Courtesy of Theatre Ronin

“Smooth, elegant and intense choreography”
★★★★– Broadway Baby

“An epic martial arts film in theatrical form”
– Loureviews