I posted a little on another thread about this and nearly got myself into trouble.
Ive got it on DVD and i was very impressed with the acrobatics the weapons and in part the whole performance side of it.
What i really think they didnt show was applicable kung fu, it really did look much more to me like performance based martial arts. This isnt to say i dont think they practice other things in the temple but i cant help thinking the show was very much done for a ‘public’ audience.
On the other hand really what do we expect?
They cant show toooo much of there real deal to the general public and they cant also send them home thinking the monks are boring.
Still I liked some of the qigung and iron body feats. Also the monks themselfs still have the certain shine about them and are great so see perform.
Thats my 2 cents on the Weel Of Life.
when is Shaolin-do Wheel of Life coming out? Is it going to be the sequel?
“Wheel of Life”? I better check out the pbs website to see when it plays again!
I’m still thinking about it…
… which is a good thing. It means it left an impression. Certainly it was a pop demo for a pop audience, so it’s going to be really flashy and dramatic. But I guess that’s my problem with it, if they are going to do something so pop, they should take the opportunity to really lay down some dharma, and they didn’t.
On the other hand, to see Shaolin on PBS was awesome. What a breakthrough.
The video is available if you pledge to PBS - go to PBS.org to find out when it plays in your area.
For all in NYC
They will be in NYC at the Beacon Theater on February. So now is you chance to check them out. I know I will.
Attn:Gene Shaolin Tour:Wheel of Life
Are those monks actualy “official monks” from the temple, or are they secular athletes(I don’t know what you’d call them)? I guess what I’m asking is: Who are these guys?! 
Anybody know?
Wheel of life
We had a thread going on this earlier - you might take a peek. To the best of my knowledge, this tour/play uses reps from the temple, mostly martial monks and disciples. I remember hearing that it had the blessing of Abbot Shi Yongxin, but then so does Shi Xiaolong (the movies star kid and he’s not a ‘real’ monk at all.)
I didn’t recongize anyone that I knew, but my shaolin circle is limited. One of my monk friends said he recognized one of the kids.
It definately looks like it’ll be worth checking out. The PBS special was unprecedented.
cool dvd!
hey gene did you know that bestbuy has the dvd on shelf now. i picked it up…it has some behind the scenes type stuff on how the whole idea started. sifu, watched the dvd and said he recognized about 3 people…i think you are right, they are all linked to the temple, not just made up of good students from around the village.
Shaolin at Bestbuy! Another triumph!
Little ****bro -
Did Shi Xinghao mention if those people he recognized were from the offical wushuguan, one of the private wushuguans or what?
Wheel of life mediocre
Having seen the wheel of life tour last year 2001 and demonstrated, alongside, met backstage and worked out with the performing troup I would say that their skill level is mid level wu shu isquite sloppy at times allthough a very well rehersed and visually captivating show. Their skill is nothing like the shaolin tour of six or seven years ago.
westerns are becomiing more and more eductaed with a far higher level of knowledge between good and bad than ever before. This show really appeals to the martial arts wannabe’s, youngsters and non educated consumer audience.
If you know your stuff look at it as a show and do not look for high martial skill.
The anniversary tour…
… yes that was the strongest. I doubt they’ll be able to do another like that one for a while.
Wong Ying Home - Where did you see the show?
I think what intrigues me about wheel is the concept of doing it as a play. It’s unprecedented. And for those of us who’ve seen several Shaolin and MA performances, well, certainly we are jaded. I’m not sure that the general public is anymore educated - perhaps they are more used to extreme stuff. Shaolin warriors that came through in 2000 - well, I thought it was the weakest so far - but it got a sold out, standing ovation.
Wheel of Life
I’m going to go check them out at the beacon here in NYC. I’ll let you guys know how it was.
Wheel of life
I didnt know they were playing at the Beacon? I got front row tickets to the show in Atlantic City @the Taj. I think the Shaolin warriors are playing at the beacon? Check your tickets to makesure your seeing the right thing? On the wheels website the only shows on the east coast are at the Taj. Anyway have fun…
Ted
Gene
I saw the wheel of life tour in 1990 in the Uk and perfromed alongside them in 1991 at a show in the UK.
It must have been 7 years or so ago when the first troupe came over maybe a bit longer, I guess in those days maybe even Shi Yan Ming was still in teh team, those guys were awesome back then.
This lot are lacking the old gaurd training and are only intermediate in their skill
Are you sure about that?
WYH: I don’t think Wheel of life goes back to 1990. Do you mean just a Shaolin monk tour?
Gene - Doh !
Gene,
You are totally correct…it was about 1.30am that I replied after having taught classes from 2.00pm till 10.00pm…dead head more like.
Saw the Wheel of life 1999, and performed along
side them at a show in 2001 (not 1991)
The Shaolin Monks tour was 7 years or so ago…must remember to get more sleep, it’s 1.30am again.
That’s cool
we like dead heads…
deadheadz
speak for yourself hippy!!:mad:
- I have a video called Shaolin Temple fighting monks. They perform in some gymnasium in Seatlle and it features Shi Goulin and Shi Yanming. I don’t have fighting monks part 2 (it’s in German?!). It’s cool, but they utilize a codeine speed slo-motion that is kind of annoying. Fire tongue rules
- I’m going to Wheel of Life on Saturday in Boston. Only ticket I could get was obstructed view, but hopefully I 'll manage to worm my way…
what?! no hippy chicks?
then I’m outta here…
The video that features Guolin and Yanming together was that first U.S. tour in '92. It finished in S.F. where they both defected. Wah Lum still sells that video since Chan Pui (a shaolin disiciple himself) was one of the promoters of that tour and one of the first to make pilgrimages to Songshan Shaolin.
too many buttons
I was using the other terminal and didn’t realize the last guy left it logged on as KFQ Admin.