Image by Branco Gaica
The Chinese legend of the Monkey King is the stuff of legend. So, too, are the 16th century novel based on the story, Journey to the West, and the popular television show from the 1970s, Monkey Magic. Produced by Kim Carpenter’s Theatre of Image, Monkey… Journey to the West is a grand musical adventure, featuring richly textured costumes, a simple and inventive set, and a healthy dose of theatrical flair. Incorporating large- and small-scale puppets and physical theatre with a hint of pantomime, a heart of gold, and a seamless blend of mythology, adventure, action and wit, it is the story of the chaste monk Tripitaka and his quest to gain enlightenment and bring the teachings of Buddhism from India to China. Like all great road-trip stories, is not so much about the destination but rather the journey to get there.
Under the direction of Carpenter and John Bell, Donna Abela’s adaptation of the story is fashioned into a tale advocating peace, harmony and compassion, a message that resonates as strongly today as it did five hundred years ago. Despite being billed as ‘Monkey,’ it is Tripitaka, the monk (played, perhaps in a nod to the television series, by Aileen Huynh), who is the main character here. Played with grace and good humour, Huynh’s Tripitaka is a man seeking enlightenment and is very much aware that survival cannot come through the self alone, but rather relies on the help of friends and companions. Enter the deliciously disgusting Pigsy (Darren Gilshenan), the somewhat simple Sandy (Justin Smith), and the immortal and mischievous Monkey (Aljin Abella) – while each companion is originally perceived as a monster in one form or another, each sees the error in their ways after experiencing Tripitaka’s compassion, and vows to protect the monk on his quest. Together, they form a strange band of unlikely heroes, and soon have us cheering for them on their epic quest, as they encounter and foil attacks from various monsters. Ivy Mak, Anthony Taufa and Lia Reutens bring character, life and panache to these (literally) larger-than-life creatures, while Troy Honeysett and Team 9Lives (Tim Farley, Joshua Tieu and Jair Coronado) round out the ensemble with strength and physical prowess.
On Carpenter’s simple set, the action and characters are key, and clothed in Carpenter’s rich and fantastical costumes, there is never a dull moment. Although the story is somewhat episodic like in many other great journey stories, Abela’s script makes the most of its unique humour, wit and inventiveness, and creates characters and situations we can delight in. Peter Kennard’s music and songs, while lively and a splendid accompaniment for the play’s action, are perhaps not as memorable as they could have been, and the music did at times drown out the singers’ voices.
There are many moments to love in Carpenter and Bell’s production which make this show something special and wonderful. Despite giving the story the requisite scale to unfold upon, the Riverside Theatre felt a little too big at times; perhaps a slightly smaller venue like the Playhouse at the Sydney Opera House would make some sequences – like the skeleton puppet sequence at the end of Act One – literally pop out into the audience and draw us further into this already larger-than-life tale of unlikely heroes, strange creatures, and monkey magic.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars
Monkey… Journey to the West
Creator: Kim Carpenter
Directors: John Bell and Kim Carpenter
Writer: Donna Abela
Designer: Kim Carpenter
Music & Song: Peter Kennard
Movement Director: Scott Witt
Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland
Sound Designer: Tony Love
Cast: Aljin Abella, Darren Gilshenan, Justin Smith, Aileen Huynh, Ivy Mak, Anthony Taufa, Lia Reutens, Troy Honeysett, Tim Farley, Joshua Tieu, Jair Coronado
Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
http://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/monkey-journey-to-the-west/
2 – 11 October
