Shaolin monks stun Singapore audiences with authentic Chinese kung fu

"Shaolin", a show which presents the ultimate masters of kung fu by monks from the Shaolin Temple in China's Henan province, stunned Singapore audiences. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Shaolin", a show which presents the ultimate masters of kung fu by monks from the Shaolin Temple in China's Henan province, stunned Singapore audiences on Wednesday.

The new edition of "Shaolin" is the continuation of the previous famous show "Shaolin Wheel Of Life", which was premiered in 1999 and has since then performed over 2,000 times across the globe.

The previous production is based on one of the ancient Shaolin Temple legends and has a cast of 25 ordained kung fu soldier monks displaying their tremendous physical skills.

And the new show of Shaolin, taking audiences on a journey through the mystical history of this ancient martial art and demonstrating beautiful tai chi and qigong with mesmerising kung fu movement, tells about how several adult monks seek revenge to an emperor, after they managed to survive as kids in a massive killing towards Shaolin monks by the ruler. And in the end, their enemies were influenced by the monks' ethics and decided to join Shaolin.

With this main storyline, performers from the Shaolin Temple displayed breathtakingly difficult moves and fighting skills during the show. For example, in a crescendo of kung fu sequences displaying speed, precision and impeccable co-ordination, the Shaolin Monks are lifted aloft on sharpened spears, splinter wooden blocks with their hands, are sandwiched between beds of nails and knives, and fly through the air in a series of incredible back flips and spins.

Seventeen year old Shi Miaojia is one of them. He is the one who is lifted aloft on five sharpened spears. He told Xinhua that he's been practising this technique for four years and still, it's easy to get injured.

"If you don't do it with full attention, you might get hurt. Every move must be in place," he said.

Shi Miaojia is his religious name, which was given to him when he entered Shaolin temple at the age of ten. Recalling the learning process, Shi said it was very painful when he first tried the move. However, after thousands of practice, he now is used to it and doesn't even feel a thing.

According to Zhuang Tianbao, co-producer of the show, who also participated in the 1999 one, Singapore is their third stop after London and Johannesburg, and they're planning a world tour later this year.

The show will last until July 31.

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