Shaolin Warriors
Flying through the air, balancing on sharp spears and performing unrelenting acrobatic stunts, the Shaolin Warriors are keen to keep mysterious reputation of Kung-Fu alive and kicking.
"These guys are like demi-gods. They move so fast, when they flip, you can't even see there hands or head touch the ground. The speed and skill is ridiculous."
The Shaolin Warriors of China head to Tunbridge Wells under the guidance of Theatre Productions Director, Stephen Leatherland, who remains in ore of their skills.
He said: "They display so many disciplines. The show is highly choreographed, I would almost describe it as a Kung-fu ballet because there are moments when 16 guys are all moving in unison.
"They are all throwing themselves around and landing on one leg at the same time, its pretty breath taking.
"They are choreographed back in China by the guy that helped create the opening ceremony to Beijing Olympics, but we put a theatre production touch on it to make the story line a lot clearer for the audience.
"Creating magic is the name of the game."
The group of 22-warriors are all martial arts experts despite some of the performers being as young as 10-years-old.
They are also specialists with an amazing 18 different weapons which are also used in the show.
Leatherland, himself an actor in the West-End, said: "They cover all the disciplines they would learn at the Shaolin Temple.
"They deal with a number of different traditional weapons like swords and spears and even things that I don't even know what they are, but it still look very dangerous to me."
Each of the warriors has been specially chosen by the Shaolin group with most of them having won either a regional or national competition in their native China.
Leatherland added: "That is essentially how they came to light in the performance sense. They are the cream of the Kung-fu world.
"The main guy is called Cheng Penfei. He his like a human Catherine wheel. The human eye struggles to catch up with his movements It is unbelievable."
The group has been performing since 2000 and received international acclaim following regular tours around the world.
This is the second time the warriors have come to England for a mammoth 66-date tour before heading off to Europe, America and finally Australia.
However, most of the warriors grew up in poor rural families in the Henan and Shandong Provinces, known as the heartland of Chinese martial arts.
Their lives read like a traditional strength throughout adversity story, encouraged by their parents from the age of four to train hard and lift themselves far from their humble beginnings.
Leatherland, who started Theatre Productions 17 years ago, said: "I have employed many celebrities and obviously I treat them with great respect, but these guys are untouchable and they are great people too because of their Shaolin humility.
"I see them as demi-gods."
Featuring Buddhist meditation and rigorous martial arts training, the show is an extravaganza of gorgeous scenery, beautiful lights, hundreds of costumes and an original soundtrack by a Chinese composer.
The latest show details the journey of a young warrior, from initiation to becoming a Shaolin Monk and achieving warrior status.
And as you can see within the show, the training necessary in order to become a Shaolin Warrior is most definitely not for the feint hearted.
A typical day for a youngster includes waking up at 5am in order to complete a full six hours training alongside compulsory meditation and relaxation.
While on tour the Warriors continue with both their mental and physical training as they believe mental strength to be vital to continuing their successful and injury free performances.
The director said: "There is a 45 minute warm up before every show as well as their own personal training every day.
"We actually had a journalist from a martial arts magazine come to the rehearsal and he said he was astounded just by the warm up, let alone the full production."
Popularity for Kung-fu boomed in the 70s and 80s with the films of Bruce Lee but with 600,000 people having already witnessed the Shaolin Warriors show across the world, there is no question that the intrigue remains.
The intense and often unbelievable stunts are highlighted by the might boggling feats of endurance.
When asked which is the big move that wows the most audiences? Leatherland said: "Personally, I'd suggest the 'five spears thrusting the body move'.
"It is a stunt where a warrior is supported in the air with spears. Others include lying on blades, the nail bed, as well as breaking iron bars using the forehead alone, to name just a few."
Despite these feats, the warriors offer a family orientated show aimed at all ages.
Mr Leatherland added: "In particular there's a teaching sequence with children from the audience who experience being taught Kung-Fu live on stage!
But when asked if he would be donning the traditional orange robes to take part as an understudy warrior Leatherland answered: "I have had to step in at the last moment many times, but I don't think I will with this production.
"I value my life too much!"
The Shaolin Warriors visit the Assembly Halls Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Tuesday, June 7.
Tickets cost £22.50 each or a family ticket of four costs £62. Visit the website at
www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk or phone 01892 530613.
By Joe Bill