But somewhere in my memories were recollections of tacky Chinese theatre, cantonese and martial arts displays.  Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu leaves all those old memories at home, and can easily be said to be on the same professional levels as many Broadway shows or operas.  The scale is huge, with moving sets that create the illusion of palaces and dream sequences.  While some of the acting and dancing appears to be overwrought and simplistic, it is also highly stylistic too.

The young Chun Yi, does a pas de deux dance with his mother, as she prepares to leave him at the Monastery to learn Kung Fu.  The young boy is reluctant and runs back repeatedly after his mother.  Two young boys from the monastery come up and persuade Chun Yi to stay and play with them, as they perform their own jumps and kicks, that captures the newcomer's attention.

And so it was in the audience.  During intermission, I talked with friends in the audience who were amazed at the acrobatic feats, as well as the Kung Fu fighting.  They had never before seen Cantonese opera with its many gymnastic routines, or the Action-Musicals put on by Dennis Law at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, such as Terracotta Warriors, Heartbeat or Heaven and Earth.  And so my cultural thoughts wondered at the possibilities that when China starts allowing more of its martial artists, ballet dancers and artistic directors, will we see an artistic revolution in the arts, as more and more ideas are exchanged?  Could a traditional western opera be staged with kung fu battles, Chinese gynmastics and dance.

"We are creating something new in Beijing. We're creating something new for China and the world!" says Cao Xiaoning, president of China Heaven Creation, the company behind creating this production in anticipation of cultural preparations for the 2008 Olympics, which will also include Martial Arts as an Olympic event.

While the story is not completely literal, and the "dream" sequences where Chun-Yi was tempted by a beautiful woman, it is easy to understand the plot development.

By seeing more productions like this in Vancouver, we can find artistic and enjoyable ways to learn about one of the world's more interesting and oldest cultures and traditional arts.  I know that I am learning about more Chinese culture.

more later....

To view an 8-minute promo video: Click here.