Magical time for all
A stage production of the ever-popular Monkey King combines acrobatic stunts and 3D special effects.
MYTHOLOGICAL figure Sun Wukong can be traced back to the period of the Song dynasty. Also known as the Monkey King, he remains a popular character for contemporary times.
So, when the protagonist of 16th century classical novel Journey To The West is brought to life in a stage production, you can bet the fans will turn out in droves.
The Adventures Of The Monkey King: The Golden Hooped Rod, now at Resorts World Genting till Jan 1, is a modern adaptation of the renowned saga. It has minimal dialogue in Mandarin, with English subtitles.
With its acrobatics, dances and magic acts blended with 3D special effects, the show is bound to entertain the audience, especially children.
Its premise revolves around the Monkey King and his quest to defeat a villain by the name of Chi You.
Chi You is a demon that was sealed under the ocean for hundreds of years. He was trapped by the Golden Hooped Rod before the Monkey King claimed the rod as his own.
When Chi You is accidentally released, his first priority is to destroy the magical rod.
The Golden Hooped Rod suggests to the Monkey King to undergo “mana practice”, an exercise that enhances one’s life energy. As the two of them strengthen their power through this exercise, Chi You continues to wreak havoc.
Though the plot is somewhat predictable, it unfolds in thrilling fashion, enhanced by the 3D effects and LED lights.
In a scene where the Monkey King flies to a mountain, the usage of double screens make the audience feel like they are “flying” with the character.
An underwater sequence exudes a circus-like feel with the acrobatic stunts, glow-inthe-dark neon-coloured costumes and props (including Chinese yoyo with LED lights).
The cast comprises nimble members of the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe.
The show – created in 2016 – has played in Nanjing Cultural Arts Centre, Lian Yun Gang Culture Artistic Centre, Nanjing Sun Palace and Shanghai Poly Theatre. This is the cast’s first performance out of China.
“There are 52 of them who travelled from China to Malaysia, and they range in age from as young as 13 to 60,” explained show producer Alvin Lee.
According to Lee, the entire production – from conceptualisation to stage – took one and a half years. “It was a very ambitious show, as it incorporated various elements such as 3D mapping and stunts, which required a long time to perfect.”
Asked about the biggest challenge faced, Lee replied: “The talents were initially uncomfortable with the weather and altitude of Genting.
“For the first 10 days, they had difficulty breathing as they had to constantly move around for intensive rehearsals.”
Apparently, the original storyline was inclined towards the Golden Hooped Rod character.
“There was a request from Genting to switch the focus to Monkey King, as Malaysians are more familiar with the character. I think the end result has a more international appeal,” said Lee. Response to the show has been positive. “There’s no similar show in the market; one that combines acrobatics with a storyline is very rare,” enthused Lee, founder and CEO of One Universal Production. His company has also staged productions inspired by Ultraman and Old Master Q.