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Temple Gym Perform at Westlands School

"The whole of Westlands School year seven were treated to the traditional Chinese Lion dance, often performed during the Chinese New year celebrations. A visiting troop of young local performers from the Temple Gym Black Belt Academy in Ellacombe, delighted students with a display of colour, movement and sound.

The performance began with an explanation of the history and cultural significance of the Chinese Lion Dance, including the belief that it brings good luck. Historically it was explained that performers used the Lion Dance to practise their Martial Arts skills, which were banned by the ruling regime. Next, came a brief introduction into the traditional Chinese weapons that would be included in the show. These consisted of swords, spears and rather lethal looking Halberds (a cross between a cleaver and a spear).

The Lion Dance itself came accompanied by enthusiastic percussion provided by large drums, symbols and other assorted instruments, adding to the drama of the sword wielding warrior teasing the sleeping Lion to wakefulness. The Lion prances and poses around the floor as the warrior leaps, cartwheels and summersaults. The whole display ends as the warrior puts the Lion back to sleep. The Lion dance received a heartfelt applause from the watching year 7s then we were treated to display after display of Chinese martial Arts skill with weapons, sometimes individually and others in pairs. These displays received some very enthusiastic applause from friends in the audience. There was also a synchronised display of unarmed Martial Arts forms with two students flowing through their exercises in near perfect timing.

The final Lion dance of the afternoon was even more involved than the previous performance with Lion and Warrior flowing through their story with colourful leaps and even more acrobatics."
(from Westlands School Website)