Matterand Things

Monkey: Journey to the West is a forthcoming stage adaptation of the Chinese legend Journey to the West, by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the co-creators of virtual band Gorillaz, and Chen Shi-zheng. It is due to receive its world premiere at the 2007 Manchester International Festival, on June 28, 2007 at the Palace Theatre, Manchester; it is the Festival's opening show.

The show is billed as a "circus opera", and is Hewlett and Albarn's first major collaboration since Gorillaz. Albarn is composing the musical score while Hewlett is designing the visual concept, set and costumes. The show will feature 45 Chinese acrobats, Shaolin monks and Chinese vocalists.

Who's coming with me???? Let's hope they are coming in north America!

You lucky British people...