Shaolin Warriors at the Dubai Opera review

The Shaolin Warriors move with the grace of ballet dancers on the Dubai Opera’s stage as they perform with faultless ease. Sinewy muscles ripple and thunder strikes as the fit men fight in choreographed time. The journey of boys becoming men, learning the katas, getting over their mischievous ways and into their stoic versions is hypnotic by turns and applaud-demanding by others.

The clashes between pupils competing to master the five animal styles — including the mantis, tiger and crane moves — are a beautiful, if deadly, jig.

The 21 masters who come together for the production of Shaolin Warriors, in Dubai until March 3, go the whole mile in getting the audience hooked. They call spectators — sometimes a very, very young crowd — up on stage, asking them to reproduce their moves (of course to comic effect). On opening night, first there was a pack of children and then two older gents who got to try to copy the elegant gestures of the monks — they were cheered on by claps and much laughter.

The monks, in saffron robes (novices wear white), perform tasks such as breaking huge bricks and blocks and sticks on each other’s heads, displaying their prowess both physical and Qi (life force)-centric.

One of the two routines that were captivating was a ‘drunken master’ fight. It uses the moves of a martial arts expert who mimics a drunkard to confuse his enemies and delvers the fatal blow. That and the show of the many — some estimate up to 100 weapons — used by the monks.

The music and sets of the show leant gravitas to the segment as well, making it a social media-worthy section — but be warned, Dubai Opera doesn’t allow photography during performances.

I guess the first rule of this fight club is let’s talk about fight club.

___

Don’t miss it!

Shaolin Warriors Kung Fu Masters runs until March 3 at the Dubai Opera. Tickets for the show start at Dh195.