They’re  Buddhist monks, they’re brave, they’re aggressive, yet they’re reflective – everybody loves China’s Shaolin Warriors.

Canberra has seen many variations on this kind of entertainment, and now entrepreneur Andrew Kay bringing a fresh new Kung Fu spectacular to the Canberra Theatre on Sunday.

There’ll be plenty of  punching, kicking and tumbling.  But “Shaolin Warriors”, as well as providing thrills when the monks slice through wood with their  bare hands or perform leaps and martial arts feats, will tell the story of how a young boy is initiated, trained over the years into maturity to become a fully fledged Kung Fu master. Twenty-two Kung Fu monks, capable of the skills dramatised in the story, will appear on the stage, all of them virtuosos in the use of 18 different traditional weapons.

Earlier versions of “Shaolin Warriors” have been touring through North America, Australia, NZ, the UK and Switzerland for the past 11 years. Of course, such  productions are theatrical interpretations designed for entertainment, and you can no longer expect the monks to come from the famous Shaolin Monastery at Song Shan near in Henan Province.

Nonetheless, the elements of discipline and devotion a genuine. That is largely the secret of success for this troupe, but the beautiful scenery, music, lighting and costumes support and enhance the performances.

“Shaolin Warriors”, Canberra Theatre, September 25. Bookings to  6275 2700 or www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au