Damon Albarn’s opera, Monkey: Journey to the West, will make its London debut at the Royal Opera House next month. The opera is a collaboration between the ex-Blur frontman and designer Jamie Hewlett, with whom Albarn co-founded the Gorillaz, and is directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. The project has be...
Damon Albarn’s opera, Monkey: Journey to the West, will make its London debut at the Royal Opera House next month.
The opera is a collaboration between the ex-Blur frontman and designer Jamie Hewlett, with whom Albarn co-founded the Gorillaz, and is directed by Chen Shi-Zheng.
The project has been a global success, selling out shows in Manchester, Paris and the US.
With music composed by Albarn, and sets designed by Hewlett, Monkey: Journey to the West, is a contemporary opera using nearly 40 Chinese performers including acrobats, martial artists and singers, with an orchestra combining Western and Chinese instruments.
“Monkey is the story of the Monkey King, who believes he is better than all the Gods, wants to be a God,” said Hewlett. “Basically he breaks into heaven and trashes the Peaches banquet and for his crime he is imprisoned in the mountain by Buddha”.
The show runs from June 23 – 26. Tickets go on sale from the Royal Opera House at 2pm on June 12. For more information see www.roh.org.uk.