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Thread: Martial Arts in Live Theater

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  1. #1
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    Martial Arts in Live Theater

    I've always thought martial arts have a great place in live theater. I'm hoping this thread will document an upcoming trend. Some productions, like KA and Jump are worthy of their own independent thread, and I'm looking more at shows that are more than just a martial arts demo like the Shaolin shows and Kung Fu Femmes. Here's example number one:

    Shakespeare, martial-arts style
    It doesn't always work but actors stand out
    By TRAVIS NICHOLS


    There is a crackpot wing of Shakespeare studies that says the Bard never meant for his plays to be staged. The language is too rich and the allusions too manifold for anything but close textual study. Anything else -- live action, sets, costumes, etc. -- would simply be a distraction from the masterful language.

    I first heard this theory from a University of Georgia professor, Charles Doyle, who delivered it nearly with a straight face. It's a preposterous idea, but its extreme point of view throws into relief the near impossibility of staging Shakespeare in a way that allows the man's brilliance on the page to come through with a minimum of interference from the stage.

    For the Seattle Shakespeare Company, this is the perennial challenge, and the company regularly and admirably meets it. Through Jan. 27 at Center House Theatre, it has taken on Shakespeare's grand political drama of the Roman Empire's fall, "Julius Caesar." For anyone who can't get enough chicanery from presidential primary season, or who feels unfulfilled by HBO's decadence-by-the-numbers series, "Rome," this seems like just the thing.

    Adapted and directed by Gregg Loughridge, the company's "Caesar" in this "chamber" production doesn't lord over the togas and sandals of ancient Rome. Instead he stalks a kind of dojo removed from any specific time or place.

    Most of the action takes place on an elevated center stage, entry to which requires the pious removal of slippers. Antony and Caesar both have shaved heads, while Cassius has a vaguely Eastern braid, and all the characters wear quasi-samurai uniforms, carry swords and bow to one another in greeting. Brutus performs some early-morning tai chi and slaps his pants out of the way before squatting samurai style. The idea, according to the director's note, is to show Caesar imposing not a historical tyranny but "a garden variety tyranny: a boss, a minister or priest, martial arts instructor, editor, chef or theater director who, basking under the trust and willingness of their respective congregations, took advantage and went awry."

    It's a fascinating concept -- Caesar as leader of the Moonies -- but it doesn't quite come through. A hippy-dippy cult aura is hinted at by chambered nautiluses projected onto the stage's screens, "Voodoo Chile" blaring between scenes, and Calpurnia employing tarot cards to interpret her dream of Caesar's demise.

    However, such hints aren't enough to override the text's continual reference to Rome, Romans, the Tiber, etc. Instead of being a fresh take on a fusty classic, the staging seems a muddle, a problem exacerbated by the occasionally stale recitations of the Bard's words by some of the cast. How David Quicksall's Brutus can muster the courage to kill Caesar is a miracle since he seems mostly to have just gotten out of bed.

    Still, Hana Lass shines as Cassius, projecting the fervency of a true believer willing to kill for her cause, and Kelly Kitchens' muffled hysteria makes Portia into a contemporary and wholly sympathetic wife. She steals nearly as many scenes as Brandon Simmons does as Casca, a role to which he brings a joyful and hammy flamboyance. These actors pull off a delicate trick: They make time-tested characters their own on the stage, without diluting the beauty of what's on the page.
    Gene Ching
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  2. #2
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    Would Cirque Du Solei be appropriate for this thread Gene? They had done a MA related theme in the past.
    Cordially yours,
    冠木侍 (KS)
    _____________________________________________


    "Jiu mo gwai gwaai faai dei zau" (妖魔鬼怪快哋走) -- The venerable Uncle Chan

    "A fool with a sword is more dangerous than any weapon..."

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”--John Quincy Adams

    "If you have an unconquerable calmness, you can overcome the enemy without force" -Bushi Matsumura

  3. #3
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    KA is Cirque Du Soleil

    I mentioned it above, with a hyperlink no less.
    Gene Ching
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneChing View Post
    I mentioned it above, with a hyperlink no less.

    Saw it in Vegas last year...awesome!
    "The true meaning of a given movement in a form is not its application, but rather the unlimited potential of the mind to provide muscular and skeletal support for that movement." Gregory Fong

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    Ka

    Quote Originally Posted by TaichiMantis View Post
    Saw it in Vegas last year...awesome!
    Might be a while before I go to Vegas. I'll have to catch the performance on cable...
    Cordially yours,
    冠木侍 (KS)
    _____________________________________________


    "Jiu mo gwai gwaai faai dei zau" (妖魔鬼怪快哋走) -- The venerable Uncle Chan

    "A fool with a sword is more dangerous than any weapon..."

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”--John Quincy Adams

    "If you have an unconquerable calmness, you can overcome the enemy without force" -Bushi Matsumura

  6. #6
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    No worries 冠木侍

    We were actually very involved with the production of KA. See the following articles:

    Kungfu Under the Big Top: Cirque Du Soleil's Hot New Show, Dralion - 2000 October

    Treasure Hunt at Treasure Island - Cirque du Soleil Auditions Wushu Champs in Las Vegas - 2003 July/August

    The Gala Premiere of Cirque Du Soliel’s New Show, KA - 2005 May/June

    The Wushu Warriors of KA: Cirque Du Soleil’s New Vegas Show - 2005 July/August

    Shaolin Trips: Episode 4 - A Hero Watching the Formation: Epilogue: My Master's Pilgrimage to Gold Mountain and the Bu Hao Mao - e-zine

    Many of the martial arts stars of Cirque came through our contacts, including the two lead performers, Cheri and Jennifer Haight. Cirque still contacts us when they're doing calls - if they're general calls I post them here on the forum.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
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    Quote Originally Posted by GeneChing View Post
    I mentioned it above, with a hyperlink no less.
    Thanks for letting me know.

    I was not familiar with the name of the specific production. Therefore I thought it would be appropriate for your criteria (not knowing that it was already mentioned by you).

    That's all.
    Cordially yours,
    冠木侍 (KS)
    _____________________________________________


    "Jiu mo gwai gwaai faai dei zau" (妖魔鬼怪快哋走) -- The venerable Uncle Chan

    "A fool with a sword is more dangerous than any weapon..."

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”--John Quincy Adams

    "If you have an unconquerable calmness, you can overcome the enemy without force" -Bushi Matsumura

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    Wushu to the Ravi Bandu Ensemble

    As long as it's not Eye of the Tiger again, I'm pretty amused with any variation to the soundtrack....
    Chillies 2009 to feature martial arts, drums fusion

    This year's edition of the much talked about and highly anticipated Sri Lanka Advertising Awards, the Chillies 2009, will be taking entertainment to a whole new level with the goal of defying expectations. Using its theme, "You Can't Kill It", to maximum effect, this year's focus has all along been to ensure performances witnessed at the Chillies 2009 Main Event wow audiences with a dramatic mix of sights and sounds. Most stunning of these by far is the planned fusion of acrobatic martial arts skills by Sri Lanka's Wushu Federation paired with heady drum beats by famed Sri Lankan music maestro Ravi Bandu, both joining togther for the first time to create a performance never before seen on the Sri Lankan stage. This and much more awaits those attending the Chillies 2009 Main Event to be held on Saturday, May 2, from 6.00 p.m. onwards at SLECC.

    The first Sri Lankan performance to feature Wushu, also popularly known as Kung Fu, a martial arts style that is over 3,000 years old, this performance which will premiere exclusively at the Chillies 2009 will pull no punches with its spectacular combination of acrobatic displays in tune with frenetic, rhythmic drum beats, all with the sole purpose of capturing and mesmerising the audience in as yet unfathomable ways. At the every least, the Chillies 2009 promises to be a treat for the senses with performances planned to be memorable in the extreme.

    With origins in China, Wushu literally translates to mean “Martial" (Wu) and "Arts” (Shu), and is purportedly the first martial art in the world created by man using his scientific knowledge for defensive as well as offensive techniques. Wushu is at the same time highly visual and potentially lethal, with tournaments encompassing both performances and combat facets of Wushu. Counting Asian film star Jet Li as its international ambassador,

    Wushu has most notably achieved significant success locally with the Sri Lankan delegation winning four gold medals at the South Asian Federation Games held here in 2002, while several Wushu clubs have also been established, even as far away as Kandy and Trincomalee.

    Meanwhile, the formidable task of putting music to Wushu's potentially superhuman feats falls Sri Lankan musician extraordinaire Ravi Bandu. There being none better with him being acclaimed far and wide for his musical artistry and diversity. Whether known for his sensational percussive feats or his oriental dance skills, Ravi Bandu is an all around performance artiste in the truest sense. Well regarded for his significant contributions to local, as well as fusion, music, he is also the man behind the eclectic Ravi Bandu Ensemble, which combines the best of eastern and western music with the help of an acoustic guitarist, a saxophonist, a flautist, a sitarist, a tablist and a keyboard player.

    The Chillies 2009 Main Event, on Saturday, May 2, from 6.00 p.m. onwards at SLECC follows Chillies Week 2009, which kicks off with a "Brief to a Grand Prix”, a workshop conducted by Cannes Lion Grand Prix winner Agnello Dias, on Monday, April 20, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., at the Longdon Room. The week then continues with "Creativity in Two Worlds", a seminar conducted jointly by creative powerhouses, Dentsu Japan’s Masaka Okamura and JWT India’s Senthil Kumar, on Tuesday, April 21, from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., at the Upper Crystal Room. Next are the always popular Judges Forum - Print & TV on Wednesday, April 22, from 7.00 p.m. onwards and Judges Forum - Radio & Non Traditional Media on Thursday, April 23 from 7.00 p.m. onwards, both at the Upper Crystal Room. Final learning opportunities include "It doesn’t have to be an Ad", a workshop conducted by former ECD TBWA/ Tequila Singapore and Chief Integrator for Asia, Graham Kelly, on Friday, April 24, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., at the Regency Room, and a seminar on "Creativity in tough times", also by Graham Kelly, on Friday, April 24, from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., at the Upper Crystal Room. Chillies Week 2009 will end with the 2009 Finalists Exhibition slated for Tuesday, April 28, to Thursday, April 30, from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., at On Golden Pond. All events, except for the Chillies 2009 Main Event at SLECC, will be held at Taj Samudra Colombo, the official partner hotel for the Chillies 2009.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
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    See our latest e-zine article

    Gene Ching
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    Songjiang in Taiwan

    This looks fun. Love the pics.
    "Songjiang" martial art performed in Taiwan
    English.news.cn 2011-03-04 10:04:31

    Actors perform during a news conference of 'songjiang' martial art array, a kind of folk performance featuring the character of Chinese kungfu and traditional art, on a plaza in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, March 3, 2011. The 'songjiang' martial art array activity, which is usually performed by 36 or 72 persons, has a history of more than 400 years. It originated in the coastal area of southeast China's Fujian Province. As an important festival activity of Taiwan, the folk performance will be held in Neimen of Kaohsiung of southeast China's Taiwan on March 12. (Xinhua)(mcg)





    Gene Ching
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    Tai Chi meets Thang-ta

    I was torn about posting this here or on the Bollywood thread.
    Martial arts and meditation come to Indian theatre
    Martial arts and meditation come to Indian theatre
    2011-03-06 12:20:00

    Chandigarh, March 6 (IANS) At first sight, martial arts and meditation may seem activities that are miles apart from theatre performances but an on-stage experiment by the department of Indian theatre at Panjab University here is trying to build on the commonality they share.

    'People might find it surprising but if you know theatre, you understand the underlying similarities between the two,' department chairperson and noted theatre personality Neelam Mansingh Chowdhary told IANS.

    Chowdhary, who has directed nearly 30 plays and was conferred a Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian theatre, said: 'Martial art teaches alertness, working with objects around, relationship with space, balancing, flexibility and risk taking ability. All these qualities are a must for a good theatre artist.'

    At a workshop in the department, which has been the learning ground for leading actors like Anupam Kher, Poonam Dhillon, Kirron Kher, and Satish Kaushik, students learned Manipuri martial art 'Thang-ta' and Chinese meditation form 'Tai Chi' from S. Biswajit Singh, who has been into this art for over three decades, to better their performance.

    During the 10-day workshop, students were taught sword and stick fighting, the art of defending themselves, the warrior dance, exercises for mental peace and stability and physical balancing.

    On the unique combination of 'Thang-ta, Tai Chi and Theatre', Biswajit Singh said: 'The two traditional forms widen the possibilities physically and in the performance. It brings in more flexibility and energy and this, in turn, helps to polish the skills of an actor.'

    The experience has left participants yearning for more.

    Krishan Kumar, a final year student, said: 'We never thought we will get to learn such things. The experience was amazing. We could not imagine that being an actor, we will be taught such good fighting skills.'

    Himanshu Dwivedi, a research scholar at the department, told IANS: 'Synchronization of three things is most important for an artist when he performs - body, voice and mind. A good performance is a result of the perfect management of these three and this is what Biswajit Singh's lessons instilled in us.'

    The sessions were an 'experience of a lifetime' and these skills will make them 'even better performers', he said.

    Indian theatre traces its origin back to about 5,000 years and now it has evolved into a full-fledged career option for students.

    Giving a platform to learn all aspects of the subject, the theatre department at PU offers a masters degree. It has 24 students, all of whom participated in the event.

    Students passing out from the department find jobs in acting, direction, production and other aspects of films, television and theatre.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Xiao3 Meng4 View Post
    I just now saw this on another website. I came over here to post it, but you beat me to it. I thought the mix of the movie screen and the actor was interesting.

  13. #13
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    Bluesy Lee -- Welcome to the 70's

    It's a new play by Taiwanese stage director Wang Chia-ming. I posted it on our Bruce Lee Memorials thread here.

    Cool post, Xiao3 Meng4.
    Gene Ching
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    More on Dylan Brody

    I just heard from Dylan Brody (see More Arts, Less Martial). He is coming to San Francisco's Punchline on Tuesday Apr 12 (08:00 PM) with a show called "Contagious Calm". He tells me it's a slightly altered version of the same show.
    Gene Ching
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    Rave fu

    Been there, done that. I'm not sure bricks know fear...
    Capital Fringe Festival: ‘Illuminate: A Martial Arts Experience’
    By Celia Wren
    Wednesday, July 13, 2011



    Let there be light — and flying snap kicks. That might be the motto of “Illuminate: A Martial Arts Experience,” an entertaining showcase of Eastern fighting techniques, executed in the dark by black belts wearing LED lights on their hands and feet. Souped up with glowing weaponry, the ghost of a “Karate Kid”-type story line and gnomic voice-overs (“Your hand should not fear the brick; the brick should fear your hand”), this unusual Fringe selection offers an opportunity to see a whirling nunchaku that’s as eerily luminous as Luke Skywalker’s light saber.

    “These feats are not to be tried at home,” a voice intones at the start of “Illuminate,” devised and performed by seven local martial artists trained in tang soo do, jujitsu and other disciplines. The prudent disclaimer ushers in a perfunctory skit about a 98-pound weakling who gets beat up by bullies and then, presumably — narrative clarity is not “Illuminate’s” strong suit — goes on to study under a martial-arts master.

    But who cares about the story? The stage lights have dimmed, and the Warehouse Theater is awash in blue, green and purple neon swirls, as kicks and punches rocket in all directions to a soundtrack of live drumming and recorded percussive, Eastern-flavored music. (Director and producer Johnny Shryock is composer and sound designer.) The cast spars, performs kata (choreographed routines in which martial artists battle invisible opponents) and demonstrates a range of combative practices, including Philippine stick fighting and choking attackers with an ordinary belt. A glowing rope dart (a kung-fu-style weapon) looks stunning as it moves like a pyrotechnic pinwheel.

    Serious martial-arts enthusiasts might find that the dim lighting makes it impossible to appreciate the nuances of the performers’ techniques. But as a sensory-rich production for general audiences, this hour-long show packs a punch.
    Gene Ching
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