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| MONKEY! A tale from China |
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| Culture | |
| Friday, 13 June 2008 | |
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This summer as everyone turns their heads towards the Beijing Olympics, the cheeky character of Monkey springs up in three different guises across the UK. Colin Teevan's hilarious version is based on the Chinese myth and 16th century novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en and is staged by Polka Theatre (4 to 28 June), and West Yorkshire Playhouse (14 June to 12 July) with Damon Albarn's version coming to the Royal Opera House in July. Although from the same version, the staging of Polka and West Yorkshire Playhouse's productions couldn't be more strikingly different. Polka's production, directed by British-Chinese director Jonathan Man, will delight children aged 7+ as two actors take on 26 characters, leading audiences on their own journey, as Polka's whole building is transformed into deep gushing rivers, tall mountains and cliffs of despair! Expect the unexpected in this witty and inventive show for all the family. The Playhouse promises a large scale family spectacle with astonishing aerial displays from a cast of eight highly skilled in trapeze, rope and silk work with the highlight being Bungee Assisted Dance, a form of aerial choreography not before seen as part of a traditional theatre staging. Monkey! tells the story of the irrepressible Monkey King who causes trouble wherever he goes! The Buddha decides that he must accompany the Monk Tripitaka on his journey to collect the Buddhist scriptures from the Western Heaven. With the help of his companions Pigsy and Sandy, the Monkey King sets off on his adventure. Many obstacles lie ahead and our hero soon realises that he must learn to harvest his powers - to balance bravery with compassion, speed and magic with restraint if he is ever going to accomplish his mission and learn how to behave. Monkey! at West Yorkshire Playhouse runs from 14 June - 12 July 2008. Tickets cost £11 - £26.50 and can be booked by going to http://www.wyp.org.uk/ or by calling the Box Office on 0113 213 7700. Monkey! at Polka Theatre runs from 4 June - 28 June, with one or two shows daily. Tickets cost £9 (schools and concessions £6), with a special price of £6 on the following performances for Dimsum readers: Tue 17 June at 10.35am * There is also special post-show Q&A for Dimsum readers, with the actors and with director Jonathan Man, one of the foremost British Chinese theatre directors in the UK: Sat 21 Jun, 12.30pm-1.00pm (immediately after the show) To take up the offer please call the box office and quote 'Dimsum offer' (not available on-line or retrospectively for tickets already booked). 240 The Broadway Accessibility: As this show is a promenade performance, audience members will be required to move throughout the building (including outside) at various intervals. Seating will be provided in various locations. For more information on accessibility please call the box office. By Colin Teevan Photo credit: Robert Workman |
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