Sydney Reviews

I turned up to the State Theatre for Wind of Shaolin with no idea what to expect. Physical feats that induce involuntary gasps of disbelief were kind of what I was hoping for.

The Shaolin Monks are from the Shaolin Monastery, which was founded in the fifth century CE in the Henan Province of the Peoples’ Republic of China. Many forms of martial arts emerged from the Monastery including Kung Fu, though there is debate about whether traditional Kung Fu bears much resemblance to its modern form.

Since the 1970’s the western world has became increasingly familiar with the Shaolin Monks and their martial arts through popular culture references such as the seventies television series Kung Fu, and the video game Mortal Kombat. The monks have also performed demonstrations of their martial arts which have become popular stage shows world wide.

Wind of Shaolin, is a collaboration between the monks and Zhengzhou Song And Dance Company. Formed in 2004, Zhengzhou is China’s youngest song and dance company and  produces work involving classic Chinese dance.

The idea of the show was to create a fusion between martial arts and dance. The story (and lets face it - who goes to these things for narrative excellence anyhow) revolves around lovers, torn apart by forces of darkness which then imprison our unfortunate heroine.

When watching the show, you wonder where classical Chinese dance begins and tired clichés end. Almost every aspect of the production is clichéd, from the gentleman offering his lady a handkerchief, to flowers falling on stage. Some of the dance routines resemble cheesy tourism commercials. The whole show is a tad dull.

In rare moments, the muscular monks leap about, wielding swords with precise agility. The highlight is a young monk who impresses with movement and comic timing. However these brief flashes get lost in the mediocre dance routines.

The use of the main prop is also worth a mention. This is a large head separated in two halves, with each half placed at opposite ends of the stage for the beginning of the show. They are joined and then turned around to form an interesting space for the monks to climb in.

The final bows were met with polite applause. It wasn’t just the jaded theatre reviewer who left feeling underwhelmed. This fusion of martial arts and dance made for a bland whole.


Beijing Xian Dai Ren Culture & Communication Co. presents
The Zhengzhou Song and Dance Theatre production of
WIND OF SHAOLIN

Venue: State Theatre, 49 Market Street, Sydney
Dates: Thursday 19 February to Sunday 1 March
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 8pm, Saturday & Sunday Matinee at 2pm
Ticket Prices: A Reserve $89.90, B Reserve $69.90, Students and Concessions $55
Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or online www.ticketmaster.com.au