'Shaolin spirit' promised to Alexandra audience
By JOHN EDENS in Alexandra - The Southland Times
Last updated 05:00 29/10/2009
The coach of a kung fu troupe from China promised to show the audience in Alexandra "Shaolin spirit" last night.
Monks and government officials arrived in Central Otago yesterday as part of a three-date Shaolin kung fu and cultural tour of New Zealand.
About 40 performers from eastern central China began rehearsing in the afternoon for a sellout performance in Alexandra Memorial Theatre.
Shaolin coach Zhang Giuoyin said the troupe's members trained for at least three years before mastering the martial art.
Speaking through a translator, he said: "The basic stuff is strength and how to stretch your body to make all your body parts co-ordinated."
The novices progressed in weapon training, beginning with a wooden staff and moving on to knives, swords, lances and whips, he said.
"We are going to show the audience Shaolin spirit," he said.
A translator for Wang Zhuangzhuang, 10, the troupe's youngest member, said the novice was shy but he was impressed by the scenery in New Zealand.
The tour, run by the Henan provincial government, the Chinese Embassy and the NZ-Henan Association, was organised as part of 60th anniversary Peoples Republic of China celebrations.
Officials from Henan province and the provincial Chinese government accompanied the troupe.
The show featured feats of agility and strength, weapons and traditional Chinese boxing.
Alexandra was one of three tour stops, after a Wellington date and a final show in Christchurch this weekend.
Reply With Quote