THEATRE meets acrobatics, martial arts and puppetry when cult television show Monkey Magic is reprised in Geelong.
Presented as part of the Melbourne Festival, Monkey … Journey to the West brings an age-old Chinese story into a modern western idiom.
The production creates a magical, action-packed adventure story for the stage based on the show broadcast on the ABC in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
With Bell Shakespeare’s John Bell and Helpmann Award-winner Kim Carpenter as co-directors, the story is adapted by celebrated Australian playwright Donna Abela from Wu Cheng’en’s 16th Century novel, Journey to the West.
The cult folk tale follows the trials of long-suffering monk Tripitaka as he struggles to make his way from China to India to retrieve a sacred text that will bring happiness and balance to the world.
The road to enlightenment is paved with devious spirits and treacherous monsters, so Buddha sends some supernatural help in the form of Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy to assist their friend in need.
But the four need every ounce of cunning, strength and magic to survive the journey.
The legend of Monkey, as he is commonly known in Western cultures, has retained its relevance through centuries of retelling with themes that resonate today.
Carpenter said he imagined Monkey as the world’s first superhero in a classic good-versus-evil morality tale.
Bringing a modern flavour to this reimagining is a multi-talented cast along with Parkour Group and Team9Lives, adding physical theatre and trickery.
Described as entertaining and thought-provoking, Monkey … Journey to the West is a modern take on an ancient tale that demonstrates why the much-loved character’s story has endured through generations.
Geelong Performing Arts Centre will host the production from 22 to 24 October.
