The Festival of Chinese Culture continues in Russia. Its programme includes a performance of “Chun Yi: The Legend of Kung Fu”, the story of life the Kung-fu way.
The director says the show is based on a Chinese folk tale and was not adapted for the European audience. It's a story of a young boy, whose mother takes him to the Kung Fu Temple. To become a monk, the apprentice has to learn how to fight temptations and not be distracted along the way. Chun Yi – the Pure One – is the name he receives from his master at the temple. Chun Yi achieves his aim and finally earns the right to teach others the principles of Kung Fu – so the wheel of life continues. Four people perform the leading role – all of them martial artists and professionals, aged from 14 to more than 40 years old. “When we go out on stage, we try to present what we've learned while training. These everyday exercises are the most difficult part,” an actor says. The show unites an intriguing storyline with fascinating acrobatics and stunts. With the addition of sound and props “Legend of Kung-Fu” becomes a hit. Before the premiere, producers announced the show as something new for China and the whole world. It was created at the end of 2004 with assistance from Canada's 'Cirque du Soleil', or Circus of the Sun. Since then the performance gathered full houses everywhere it was shown. After Moscow, the production which challenges the famous Chinese Kung Fu movies will entertain audiences in St. Petersburg.