This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 8, 2017

SOUL of Shaolin, a critically acclaimed theatrical event that has toured the world to showcase the magnificence of Shaolin kung fu, is in town.

Among the oldest institutionalised styles of Chinese martial arts, Shaolin kung fu is second to none in terms of beauty and artistry. And kung fu enthusiasts would be happy to know that this magnificent martial art form will be on full display at Resorts World Genting (RWC), where Soul of Shaolin takes centre stage until June 26.

Many will find the theme behind the story of Soul of Shaolin a familiar one: A child named Hui Gang is separated from his mother due to civil war, and he is found by Na Luo, a Shaolin monk. Na Luo and his abbot, Miao Xing, take the young boy under their wings. The only link Hui Gang has to his mother is a piece of broken jade that was near him when he was found by Na Luo.

Amid the many trials and tribulations in his journey to become a Shaolin monk, Hui Gang encounters much internal conflict when he discovers his real identity. Over the years, he grows up with all the right qualities to be a Shaolin monk — he is righteous and kind, and has good fighting skills to boot.

One day, Na Luo and Hui Gang see a woman begging on the streets being harassed and bullied by a group of thugs. They go to her aid, fighting off the thugs to save the woman. During the encounter, Hui Gang drops the piece of jade that he has been carrying since his childhood, and this is later found by the woman. She turns out to be his mother, who has been ceaselessly looking for him all this while. The woman goes back to the temple and meets up with her son, but they now must cross a final hurdle to be together.

In line with the temple’s rules, Hui Gang has to renounce his monkhood and return to secular life to be reunited with his mother. This calls for him to fight his way out of the Shaolin temple, doing battle with all his fellow monks and, more importantly, his mentor Na Luo, who eventually stages his own defeat so that Hui Gang can be with his mother.

Soul of Shaolin is designed to entertain by showcasing the spectacular capabilities of the Shaolin kung fu exponents.

All the three performers who play the main character, Hui Gang, impress with their contortionist feats and physical prowess. The rest of the performers also provide a dazzling display of their skills, not only in how they wield staffs and sabers, but also in the masterful control over their own bodies. It is the demanding physicality of the show that stands out. One could say that their movements celebrate an intense kind of discipline which borders on the spiritual.

So here is my take. For a first production from the People’s Republic of China ever to appear on Broadway, the show does provide some excellent display of kung fu. However, I feel there could be more intense and complicated combat moves, incorporating a more melodic display of things being broken with bare hands, legs and heads.

For me, Soul of Shaolin rates an eight on a scale of 10 in terms of martial arts — that is because I simply wanted more although there are some impressive kung fu moves that will make your head spin.

Soul of Shaolin will be on daily at RWC in the Genting International Showroom at 4pm and 9pm, with each show running for 90 minutes (with a 10-minute intermission).

Tickets are priced at RM156 (VIP), RM126 (PS1) and RM96 (PS2). Genting Rewards Card members enjoy a 10% discount. For more information, call (03) 2718 1118 or visit www.rwgenting.com.