The SHAOLIN KUNG FU Monks
Spike's review of the Canberra show, 13 March 2000
 |
Martial-artists, new age odd-balls, tough-guy
wannabes, HK cinema fans (I'm sure) and the merely curious: that was my impression of the
5000-odd audience that attended the Canberra performance of the Shaolin Monks on a humid
Monday evening at the AIS stadium. From the degree of animation in the pre-show lobby
discussions it was clear that expectations were high. Contrasting that with scene 2.5
hours later: the overheard post-show discussions, the feeding-frenzy at the merchandising
stand, and people's relaxed body language; it was clear that the performers did not
disappoint.
Fortunate enough to have a second-row seat I had a close view of the show,
and what a show it was. Nineteen monks, ranging in age from an estimated 9 to over 80
years old entertained and delighted the crowd in a show lasting a good two hours with
choreographed fights, weapons & forms displays, acrobatics and amazing feats of
skill and endurance. |
The program was divided into two sections of roughly an hour each, with a
20-minute interval between to allow the performers (and audience) to catch their breath. A
linking device of the story of a young boy joining the monastery was employed to connect
the individual demonstrations of the show. This worked reasonably well as it ensured there
was little dead-time (the "abbot" and "initiate" performers would
stroll across stage while the next demo was prepared) while also allowing the narrator to
give some of the history and philosophy of Shaolin and how the next demonstration related
to that philosophy.
The performance area was a raised rectangular stage which extended from a
false temple facade, complete with huge double doors, tiled roof, braziers and guardian
statues. A pair of cameramen raced about the foot of the stage and their images were
thrown onto large viewing screens for those too distant or with the wrong perspective for
seeing the details of the action. It was clear that the images were being professionally
edited: as one demonstration finished and before another began the highlights of the
performance would be shown in slow-mo.
The slick, flashy production is one of my few criticisms of the show.
While I understand the desire to put on the best possible performance, showering fireworks
and smoke-makers cheapen and detract from the beauty of the human performance, rather than
enhance it. To get all criticisms out of the way, the other annoying factor was some of
the early narration. Its unfortunate that they felt obliged to further perpetuate some of
the exaggerated claims made about Shaolin (e.g., "Shaolin is the parent of all
martial-arts") rather than allow its true history and heritage to speak for itself.
That said, such distinctions may well be unimportant to most potential audience members.
At its heart a show like this rides on the grace, power and beauty of the
individual demonstrations, and in this it shines. There is no doubt that the performers
are athletic and highly skilled individuals capable of feats that martial-artists of many
years of experience would never even dream of attempting. Coupled with the displays of
skill were more esoteric displays of Chi (internal energy) control. In particular there
were a number of demonstrations of iron-shirt (Chi circulation to protect body parts):
exponents breaking iron bars on their head, lying on the blades of swords, etc.
For me the show had a number of highlights: the performance of the animal
forms was a delight to watch, the mass performance of a staff form had real power and
energy, the displays of some of the more esoteric weapons and their forms was intriguing,
while the iron-shirt demonstration involving bending two spears placed against the throat
was truly grimace inducing. As to crowd favourites the oldest and youngest exponents
clearly stole the show. The flexibility displayed by the old master literally made the
crowd gasp at times, while the high degree of mastery, physical prowess and internal-power
displayed by the "young master" (who incidentally went through a transformation
part-way through the show that included the loss of hair/wig) really impressed.
I went to the show with expectations of something special and was not
disappointed: it had unnecessary glitz but it was a packed two hours of extremely
impressive performances the like of which I'd never seen outside of a HK movie.
SPIKE lives in Canberra,
hence the review of the Canberra show. He squeezed this review out across a 4 hour lab
supervision. He has previously contributed an article on Wuxia
Fiction.
