David JoblingReview | POEM OF KUNGFU
October 28th 2008 08:24
EVIDENTLY THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Review | Poem of KungFu - Nine Scrolls
Star City Theatre – Star City Casino, Sydney
Thursday, 23rd October, 2008.
Poem of Kung-Fu is a journey through nine scrolls, Purity; Sutra; Diligence; Intelligence; Listening; Shape; Calmness; Devotion; and Paradise. The director, Liu Zhen, has created an exciting mix of martial arts, dance, and story telling that gives an insight into the touching journey of a young monk from his initiation, through the hardship of a lifestyle which is fraught with peril, to his self-realisation.
Kung-Fu is a generic term for the martial arts of China and is most notably known as Shoalin Kung-Fu. Originally called Ch’uan Fa which means ‘fist way’ it was known as a combat art in various parts of China until it began to develop in the Shoalin temples by monks whose main purpose for being in a monastery was to take refuge from the law. There were five styles of Kung-Fu which evolved in five Shoalin temples located in five provinces. Later it divided into two distinct schools, north and south, which was relevant to the two strongest Chinese cultures, Mandarin in the north, and Cantonese in the south. The style of movements became directly related to the physiology of the practitioners, that being those in the south using low stances and kicks with fast hand techniques because of their shorter stature, and those from the north developed restricted hand movements, due to the nature of their thicker clothing necessary for warmth, and strong leg movements including acrobatics with multiple kicks.
In this production there are twenty seven performing practitioners who will amaze you with their athleticism and precise techniques which have been orchestrated into a dance and movement work of art. There are several main artists leading each segment and two principal performers around which the story revolves, Master Li Brolin, the guiding monk, and Maio Shuaifeng, the apprentice, who at just ten years old accomplishes everything the elder monks execute and more.
Each Scroll is preceded by a potent narration told by actor Tony Barry and expressed in music by pianist Ester Balasch Lozano and vocalist Cherie Valaray. Poem of Kung-Fu is an awe inspiring work, an exciting night at the theatre with astounding physical feats through a poignant journey with humour and insight – a great nights’ entertainment!
Peter McGill
Star City are proud to present for the first time ever in Australia
POEM OF KUNGFU - Nine Scrolls
- a spectacularly original dance theatre piece direct from Beijing that combines Chinese KungFu with Chinese dancing.
This award winning production will take you on an historical and cultural journey featuring 27 performers, including 10 year old Miao Shuaifeng and star of the show Li Bolin, extraordinary physical movements, original dance routines amid a sea of vivid colours.
POEM OF KUNGFU - Nine Scrolls will be seen at Star Theatre for a limited season opening on Thursday 23 October.
POEM OF KUNGFU will be directed by well-known Chinese Body Art Master Liu Zhen who explains:
We have chosen to call this POEM OF KUNGFU Nine Scrolls because poetry is like Kung Fu, it can be abstract and real at the same time. The Nine Scrolls (Purity, Sutra, Diligence, Intelligence, Listening, Shape, Calmness, Devotion, Paradise) are presented like a poem of prose taking the audience on a journey through joy, sadness, anger, euphoria; one moment mystical, full of grace and whimsy, the next powerful and dramatic.
Life's daily rituals, such as the simple act of drinking a bowl of soup are transformed into a magical experience that will have audiences laughing one moment and gasping the next as they witness the masterful choreography and daring exploits of these highly skilled performers.
Venue: STAR THEATRE
Star City, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Preview: Wednesday 22 October 2008
Season: Thursday 23 October
Performances: Wednesday to Saturday 8pm; Saturday 2pm; Sunday 2pm & 6pm
Prices: $49.90 to $79.90 plus special Schools price $39.90
$199 Family of four includes full gourmet Buffet
Bookings: 1300 795 267or ticketmaster.com.au
Groups of 8 (02) 8512 9020
Review | Poem of KungFu - Nine Scrolls
Star City Theatre – Star City Casino, Sydney
Thursday, 23rd October, 2008.
Poem of Kung-Fu is a journey through nine scrolls, Purity; Sutra; Diligence; Intelligence; Listening; Shape; Calmness; Devotion; and Paradise. The director, Liu Zhen, has created an exciting mix of martial arts, dance, and story telling that gives an insight into the touching journey of a young monk from his initiation, through the hardship of a lifestyle which is fraught with peril, to his self-realisation.
Kung-Fu is a generic term for the martial arts of China and is most notably known as Shoalin Kung-Fu. Originally called Ch’uan Fa which means ‘fist way’ it was known as a combat art in various parts of China until it began to develop in the Shoalin temples by monks whose main purpose for being in a monastery was to take refuge from the law. There were five styles of Kung-Fu which evolved in five Shoalin temples located in five provinces. Later it divided into two distinct schools, north and south, which was relevant to the two strongest Chinese cultures, Mandarin in the north, and Cantonese in the south. The style of movements became directly related to the physiology of the practitioners, that being those in the south using low stances and kicks with fast hand techniques because of their shorter stature, and those from the north developed restricted hand movements, due to the nature of their thicker clothing necessary for warmth, and strong leg movements including acrobatics with multiple kicks.
In this production there are twenty seven performing practitioners who will amaze you with their athleticism and precise techniques which have been orchestrated into a dance and movement work of art. There are several main artists leading each segment and two principal performers around which the story revolves, Master Li Brolin, the guiding monk, and Maio Shuaifeng, the apprentice, who at just ten years old accomplishes everything the elder monks execute and more.
Each Scroll is preceded by a potent narration told by actor Tony Barry and expressed in music by pianist Ester Balasch Lozano and vocalist Cherie Valaray. Poem of Kung-Fu is an awe inspiring work, an exciting night at the theatre with astounding physical feats through a poignant journey with humour and insight – a great nights’ entertainment!
Peter McGill
Star City are proud to present for the first time ever in Australia
POEM OF KUNGFU - Nine Scrolls
- a spectacularly original dance theatre piece direct from Beijing that combines Chinese KungFu with Chinese dancing.
This award winning production will take you on an historical and cultural journey featuring 27 performers, including 10 year old Miao Shuaifeng and star of the show Li Bolin, extraordinary physical movements, original dance routines amid a sea of vivid colours.
POEM OF KUNGFU - Nine Scrolls will be seen at Star Theatre for a limited season opening on Thursday 23 October.
POEM OF KUNGFU will be directed by well-known Chinese Body Art Master Liu Zhen who explains:
We have chosen to call this POEM OF KUNGFU Nine Scrolls because poetry is like Kung Fu, it can be abstract and real at the same time. The Nine Scrolls (Purity, Sutra, Diligence, Intelligence, Listening, Shape, Calmness, Devotion, Paradise) are presented like a poem of prose taking the audience on a journey through joy, sadness, anger, euphoria; one moment mystical, full of grace and whimsy, the next powerful and dramatic.
Life's daily rituals, such as the simple act of drinking a bowl of soup are transformed into a magical experience that will have audiences laughing one moment and gasping the next as they witness the masterful choreography and daring exploits of these highly skilled performers.
Venue: STAR THEATRE
Star City, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont
Preview: Wednesday 22 October 2008
Season: Thursday 23 October
Performances: Wednesday to Saturday 8pm; Saturday 2pm; Sunday 2pm & 6pm
Prices: $49.90 to $79.90 plus special Schools price $39.90
$199 Family of four includes full gourmet Buffet
Bookings: 1300 795 267or ticketmaster.com.au
Groups of 8 (02) 8512 9020
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