The theme of the drama Kung fu Show -- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon centers on a martial-arts love story told against the magical backdrop of the Shangri-La Mountain.
Dragon Girl and Tiger Boy belong to famous competing schools based at the foot of the mountain. An annual competition aims to reveal which is the best. Events take an unexpected turn when the pair fall in love while battling it out head-to-head.
The scene is set as Tiger Boy faces Dragon Girl, both with large retinues of cajoling sidekicks in tow. For kung fu fans, the play is a visual feast, combining acrobatics, martial arts and romance.
The show marks a first due to its combination of martial arts, classical Chinese music and dancing.
The thrill of Chinese martial arts and the blockbusting pizzazz of Broadway are brilliantly blended in a dazzling show.
Besides the use of an accessible plot line, the success of the show also lies in stunning individual and group skills.
Notable is one scene in which various "animals" strut their stuff and show us what they are individually capable of. The antics of the little "dog" in particular seem to capture the hearts of the audience every time, while the snake's slithery antics prompt gasps of disbelief.
(China Daily October 16, 2002)
