CHUN YI - THE LEGEND OF KUNG FU

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• Synopsis
• The Making Of CHUN YI
• From the Director
• Creative Team and Producers

Synopsis

A venerable temple master tells a fearful young apprentice the story of a legendary Kung Fu hero to give him insight into the life of a monk.

The story begins when the young Chun Yi is brought by his mother to the temple to start his apprenticeship to become a monk. At first he finds it difficult to adapt to the strict discipline. Under the tutelage of the wise Master, the boy realises if he resists temptation and distraction he will attain focus and competence. At his initiation he is given his name "Chun Yi" - the Pure One.

Growing up, the boy studies hard. Dedicated in both mind and body he learns the art of Zen and skills of Kung Fu, collecting vital life energy, Qi, from heaven and earth. He learns to look to nature and the movements of animals, and carves his body like the stone and steel of the weapons he masters. The Master warns him that truth can easily be seduced by ego.

In spite of his lessons, Chun Yi exults in his new-found power. Vulnerable to illusion, he meets temptation and is distracted from the purity of the Buddhist life. He denies those who are closest to him, and finds himself alone, unprepared for the unexpected trials of life.

Deeply remorseful, Chun Yi moves through meditation to renewed focus. He is now truly ready to become a warrior monk, not for violence or aggression, but a true warrior for peace. So begins his life-long spiritual journey to enlightenment.

Many years later, the wise old Master prepares for the end of his life. Chun Yi is called back to the Temple where the Master passes on to him the staff of his authority as Temple Abbott.

As the story comes to an end, can the fearful young apprentice now find the courage to dedicate himself to the life path of Kung Fu?

The Making of CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu

The production of CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu was developed at the Beijing Red Theatre by China Heaven Creation, one of China's leading performing arts producers. It was previewed from July to December 2004. The world premiere of the finished work took place on December 3, 2004.

CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu is now the longest-running production in China - seen by over 2 million people to date at the Red Theatre in Beijing, having surpassed 3000 performances. A full touring production was built in June 2005 in preparation for bringing CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu to audiences around the world. The production has toured to North America, Russia and Japan and was a featured presentation of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. In the summer of 2009 CHUN YI makes its UK debut in London at the Coliseum.

The touring company of 52 features a cast of young Kung Fu practitioners, dancers, and acrobats, all of them professional performers from 13 provinces of China, including 5 boys under the age of 14, already well-advanced in their training, and clearly thrilled with their early chosen profession. The performers are not only skilled in Kung Fu martial arts, but are also trained in theatrical presentation. The dancers and acrobats add new dimensions to the exploration of the movements and discipline of Kung Fu. The action is breathtaking and the drama is poignant.

Director and Playwright Su Shijin has interwoven emotion and action by skillfully combining traditional martial arts movement with evocative dance, ballet and flying acrobatics. Scriptwriter Gao Liting has captured the inspiring story of a young boy seeking enlightenment. The powerful music by Zheng Bing underscores the entire production, and includes a haunting theme song, The Lotus Blossoms Silently. Set designer Han Lixun has created a vast and interactive environment enhanced by the dramatic lighting effects of Rang Ruiguo. The myriad costumes, by designer Song Li, enhance the movement and the magic.

In 2006, Broadway director Ray Roderick joined the artistic team to adapt the show by including spoken narrative, creating a story framework which elevated the breath-taking on-stage artistry while opening a window into the remarkable culture of China, and the mystical art of Kung Fu.

As Ray Roderick explains: “It is a unique opportunity to share this beautiful culture in a way that is not only thrilling and spectacular, but emotional and moving, showing that, at our core, we all want the same thing: -- a world of peace and harmony."

Cao Xiaoning, President of China Heaven Creation, describes this enormous artistic undertaking:

"We are creating something new in Beijing.
We are creating something new for China and the world."

From the Director: Ray Roderick

"Coming from Broadway and working with the artists and performers of China’s CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu, I have reaffirmed for myself that we truly have everything in common. I found extraordinary talented and dedicated collaborators in Beijing, and before I knew it, we found ourselves on the same clear path, with the same trajectory for all we wanted to accomplish. It was very exciting to be a part of this team, this process and this wonderful adventure. It has been a personally rewarding gift to share something as beautiful as this project with people who care about telling a story as much as I do.

There is real power in bringing together the remarkable athleticism of CHUN YI: The Legend of Kung Fu with a story that is not only spectacular, but simple, intimate and emotional, surrounded by a larger philosophical message. This very personal story about a young man coming of age is universal, relevant to both western and eastern audiences, connecting us all in a visceral way.

The ancient Chinese philosophy of Kung Fu teaches that through gaining inner strength as well as physical strength, you develop the ability to create peace and harmony in the world around you. In fact, the stronger you become, the more ability and responsibility you have to those around you to create peace. This is a giant global message -- a message of peace and harmony for the world. CHUN YI has true international stature, a great gift from China to people of all ages and backgrounds."