Shaolin

If you can set your mind to it, everything is possible

by Louw Mulder

 

Something that has always been of huge interest to me over the years, is the phenomenon of different cultures. It is always fascinating to understand how people from different countries, different religions, even different races, think, do stuff, and most of all, live. Last night, during the opening performance of Shaolin in the Teatro, Montecasino, I was fearfully entertained by a unique introduction to the Kung Fu, but more so, the Chinese culture.

Shaolin is based on the follow-up of their previous show, Wheel of Life, which toured South Africa some six years ago. It tells the story of the Five Elders who have to combat the Emperor and his General, in order to conserve their temple, the peace and tranquillity, which are synonymous with their lifestyle.

The production was produced with the high international standards one would come to expect from Executive producer, Steve Nolan, Director Micha Bergese and their team from the United Kingdom. As Nolan mentioned in an interview before the show, the creative production team is only responsible for adding the theatrical element to the show, as the real essence lies within the discipline and core routines of the monks.

The art- and set design, by Agata Drazkiewicz, Lighting design by Tom Young and Tim Routledge, as well as the most effective sound design, by Darren Harvey, contributed to the perfect surroundings for the monks of Shaolin to display their routines. I should not neglect to applaud the work of costume designers Malin Anderson and Robin Dale, who really illustrated the Chinese feel of this show.

I have to emphasise how impressed I was with this production’s music and score. Composed by Peter Kiesewalter, a delightful blend of Chinese music, modernized with the electric guitar and drums, was effectually used to magnify the tension of certain scenes, as well as to melodically canvas the tranquil bliss of the Chinese and Shaolin traditions.   Elegantly dressed on both sides of the stage, were Li Mei, who played the Sheng, and Wang Yanhong, playing the flute and percussion, accentuating the infamous Chinese sounds.

When I spoke to some of the Monks a few days before the opening night, it had been explained to me that Shaolin is not just a Kung Fu demonstration, but something for the audience to seek. This production, as they say, is inspired by the history of the temple: “People will not only see powerful strength as a Shaolin monk through their performance, but people will also see the psychological and physical balance within the power of the mind,” the monks said.

What drive these monks to do what they do, is to let the world see what behind their undiscovered believes. “Basically, as a Kung Fu monk, you not only require physically strength, but also mental understanding of Buddhism,” they explained. “This is the philosophy that leads the way into a peaceful world with inner peace. Through the Kung Fu practice, you will reach that level of inner peace, by concentrating on meditation and using your power of mind to concentrate on things. After this you will feel you are free in your world, so much, that it will give you a strong body, to get more power, to get where you want to be spiritually.”

Knowing this, the show made a lot more sense to me. I ended up watching the show, trying to see if what they had told me, would be realised in their performance. And so it did. There were routines where some of the monks walked on blades, did handstands on two fingers only, and even got lifted by a set of spears, without any injury to themselves? What I picked up and followed quite intensely throughout the show, was how they mentally prepare themselves by certain spiritual meditating routines, before embarking on such dangerous acts.

With the breathtaking routines witnessed live, together with the aspiring production behind the theme, it was a Chinese experience, very little can be taken away from. It is not a show displaying a sequence of martial arts tricking, but an authentically organised presentation of how the discipline and determination of the Shaolin Monks can lead to an immense physical strength and a powerful mind, as is evident with the monks of the Shaolin Temple.

I would like to thank Executive Producer Steve Nolan, and the translator for the Shaolin Monks, Cong Zhao, for chatting to us. Shaolin, another Big Concerts Experience, will perform at the Teatro in Montecasno until 10 July 2016.

 

Photo’s courtesy Big Concerts