Immortal Chi (Tour – Manchester)

Immortal Chi follows the path set by Riverdance – developing cultural traditions and skills into mass entertainment. Like its predecessor it features fabulous displays of talent but is short on anything resembling a coherent narrative.

A portentous series of surtitles advises that the universe is expanding, the clock is ticking and that the true test of a man is to maintain balance and harmony. This turns out to be difficult for the Tai Chi Master whose physical and mental equilibrium is thrown off when a collection of Chinese Girl Drummers invade his retreat.

Sent tumbling to the floor he sets out on a quest to recover his inner energy – his Immortal Chi. This brings him into contact with a series of warriors and clowns and requires completion of tasks such as catching raindrops.

Director Erick Villneneuve delivers a well-paced show. Displays of combat alternate with more tranquil sequences such as delicate fan and flag dances. This approach gives a varied display of the full range of Chinese Wushu techniques that never become tiresome. The sheer variety on display brings exuberance to the show that is unexpected bearing in mind the rather solemn opening.

Villneneuve makes use of screen projections to bring a cosmic depth to the show (and, in a sequence where a dancer is framed by rushing cityscape images, induce vertigo). Yet the director is careful not to interfere with the actual artists. There are no artificial additions such as wires to aid the performers. They rush up walls powered only by their own momentum and shatter planks and metal poles with bare hands. There is no doubt that, as far as the martial arts are concerned, Immortal Chi is authentic.

There is even a hint of broad comedy to offset the over-serious spiritual aspects of the show as a couple of delivery boys press-gang audience members into helping out with a brick-breaking display.

The music for the show, all performed live, is a mixed bag. The string music is generic swirling cosmic style played at an irritatingly high volume. Yet the Chinese Girl Drummers are exceptional. The precision of their percussion is a perfect match for the pinpoint accuracy of the dancers. The rhythm of their drumming gradually gets under your skin generating excitement even when the action on stage is low-key.

There is, however, a frustrating lack of background information to clarify the purpose of the displays. One assumes, for example, that the animalistic poses adopted during one sequence represent the symbols of the Chinese New Year but it is irritating not to be able to confirm. You can’t help but wish that the surtitles had been used to give some explanatory material or set the scene rather deliver the vague opening statements.

The glitzy presentation in Immortal Chi does not distract from the display of the superb physical abilities of the cast. Efforts to develop a spiritual aspect are less successful and the show might have been even more accessible if the audience had been given some detail on the purpose of the displays.

Immortal Chi continues touring the UK until 27 July.

– Dave Cunningham