Shaolin: The Wheel of Life at the Civic Theatre

By SHELLEY HOWELLS

A Shaolin priest can walk through walls. It is said that listened for he cannot be heard; looked for he cannot be seen; felt he cannot be touched.

At least, that's what they said in the classic 70s TV series Kung Fu, in which David Carradine played a Shaolin monk.

These days, for the price of a ticket to the Civic, you can hear Shaolin monks grunt and hiss, see them leap and smash things, be touched by a gentle spray of Shaolin sweat if you're near the front.

And, after seeing their Wheel of Life show, you may be prepared to believe they can walk through walls.

The performers are 22 soldier monks from the Zen Buddhist Shaolin monastery in Henan, China, as well as a small troupe of actors and musicians. It is a mix of theatre and kung fu martial arts demonstration with some contortionist and acrobatic action thrown in for good measure.

The storyline (which, like any good Jackie Chan movie or episode of Kung Fu is incidental to the action) is based on an ancient Shaolin legend in which the monks defend the Emperor who, in return, tries to slaughter them all.

Booming, Richard-Burton-like narration fills the blanks in the mimed story which is accompanied by roaring soundtrack as well as live traditional Chinese music.

They save the best until last. The final few minutes of the show involve a staggering demonstration of kung fu skills, including use of things such as a bed-of-nails/sword human sandwich, a sledgehammer and a large piece of concrete.

Monks balance on alarming-looking bits of metal, lean on the business end of sharp spears, fly through the air and fold themselves into unlikely shapes.

Action-kids will love it. My 7-year-old guest was thrilled, but did get scared in parts (mostly because of the ominous and loud music), so young and sensitive types might be better off with the video.

I would have been happier with less of the showbiz, more straight demonstration of the monks' martial arts skills and a chance to learn more about their history, beliefs and lives. But, judging by their yelps, gasps and cheers of appreciation, the crowd was well pleased by the package.

Wheel of life