Shaolin Spectacular
High-flying kicks, ultra-skilled weaponry, iron torsos that, even while lying on a bed of nails, withstand the impact of a hammer breaking through a brick – it’s the Shaolin Warriors. In Voices of the Masters, their third appearance in Hawaii, they offer an adrenaline-spiked show of acrobatic agility and assortment of feats that defy human endurance.
Food preparation Shaolin warrior-style. Photo courtesy Shaolin Warriors
The 22 Buddhist masters coming to Hawaii Theatre will display kung fu rooted in tradition that goes back 1,500 years. They begin their training as young as age 4, which means leaving their parents to live in a dormitory setting where they study with students from around the world. Two featured young performers in Voices who have no problem holding their own among the veterans are just 12.
“The Shaolin performers train in martial arts for several hours every day, perfecting the art of hand-to-hand and weapons combat,” says producer Zhang Yu of China Performing Arts Agency Productions. “Each performer is required to achieve an extraordinarily high level of proficiency in each of the 18 traditional weapons, and to become a master of one.
“However, it is the daily practice of seated meditation which enables the individual performer to sustain a demanding physical regimen. Through a practice known as Ch’an (Zen), they calm the body and focus the mind to a single collected point in order to attain a mental state known as Samadhi, or complete mental absorption. It is in this quiet yet highly focused state of mind that they are able to sustain extreme physical discomfort and pain that enables them to undergo the intense daily training required to achieve and maintain the level of adeptness for which they are so highly praised.”
Hawaii promoter Tim Bostock calls the show the “most authentic of any international touring martial arts show,” and promises it will be “highly entertaining for the whole family!”
TICKET STUB
VOICES OF THE MASTERS
When: Sept. 26-30, Wednesday-Thursday at 7:30, Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Hawaii Theatre
Cost: $30-$60 ($10 discount for Theatre members, seniors, students, military, keiki; all tickets Sept. 26 are $35)
More Info: hawaiitheatre.com,shaolinwarriorshawaii.com
Celebrating Watercolor
