The Beijing-based company, made up of from dancers/athletes chosen by renowned Chinese actor, director and martial artist Jackie Chan, combines elements of Kung Fu, traditional Chinese ballet and modern dance in its performances in an extraordinary and spectacular way.

_11 Warriors _is born out of the spirit of ancient Chinese traditions and philosophies and tells the story of Kung Fu in five acts. From the retelling of the very earliest origins to the demonstration of today's most refined techniques, the show is a fascinating journey showing the physical and spiritual development of a Kung Fu master. With perfect mastery of every Chinese art form, the troupe reveals how deeply rooted the principles of Kung Fu are in the country's culture.

The primary objective of any form of combat is to protect, defend and conquer, but this is warfare. Combat becomes a martial art when the practice becomes a structured form of study that transcends aggression. In fact, the literal meaning of the term "Kung Fu" is not to fight, but rather to pursue excellence, perfect mastery of techniques, with the ultimate goal of improving one's being.

_Act 1: SOURCE _

Metal, wood, water, fire and earth. The theory of the ...five elements in China is intrinsic to every aspect of the quest for perfection of the "self," whether this is through art, science, philosophy or combat. The five elements represent the harmonious relationship found, to different levels, in nature. And it is this same harmony that the martial arts seek to reflect in the dialectic of movements among those who fight. When, over time, the teachings of this martial art became structured, the Shaolin Temple formalized the exercises by giving them logical forms that were inspired precisely by the combat strategies of certain animals. Thus it was that the "Five Forms" originated: the scimma, snake, tiger, mantis and crane.

Act 2: SOUL

The soul of a martial artist feeds on the fire that always burns brightly within him. Perseverance, driven by passion, drives him to to improve, while his life force Qi (Chi) feeds on an endless quest on the bright path of perfection.

Act 3: MASTER

Behind every man who practices Kung Fu there is always a Master. The Master teaches and shows the way-the right way and the wrong way. The right way to practice, and with equal value, the right reason to practice. In the relationship between teacher and pupil finds place the lesson of filial piety and that of the importance of respect for every person and every thing. The true teacher leads the pupil on a path of discovery, with the intention that the pupil may find the most authentic expression of himself.

_Act 4: SOFTNESS _

It is said that to dominate the opponent one must become like water, ebbing and flowing effortlessly toward its destination. Without thinking, without hesitation. The fighter realizes this flowing through stillness of mind. And in this stillness his energy flows and goes forward naturally and freely. And in the end he wins against his greatest opponent: himself. Inside every warrior dwells a sword ready to be drawn in an instant--without hesitation. His body performs the fluid movements of Tai chi, and thus his heart is hardened, his skills are honed, and the true warrior is forged in him.

Act 5: CELEBRATION

Learning Kung Fu is like swimming against a violent current. It is a path full of obstacles that keeps you shackled to what you know and prevents you from understanding what you do not know. How do you to free yourself from naivety and ignorance and let awareness and talent take their place? Through hard work, passionate and constant, the man who practices Kung Fu destroys his chains and celebrates his epiphany. And he understands that each enlightenment leads to the next.

Epilogue: FIGHTERS

It is only through difficult, rigorous and careful training that one becomes a fighter. Through the pursuit of excellence comes the understanding that the skills acquired represent much more than destructive force practiced as mechanical repetition; that the constancy of repetition leads to spontaneity; that force can also be expressed through relaxation; that possessing such skills also means having the ability not to use them, and that Kung Fu is not a style of fighting, but a way of life. It is when the fighter comes to to understand this that he becomes a martial artist.