Society
China's Monkey King to take on pollution challenge
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-11 17:58
BEIJING: Pollution may be killing the planet, but it's given China's legendary Monkey King a new lease of life.
After the government leaders disperse from the climate change talks in Copenhagen, the fairy tale figure will come to life in a new environment fantasy staged by the China Puppet Art Theater.
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The characters and script were based on the Chinese classic, "Journey to the West," written about 500 years ago, but the story has a new twist -- environmental protection, said Wang Dapeng, the drama's director.
This time the Monkey King would join forces with a host of sea creatures to stop humans unleashing a tide of chemical pollution and to save a dragon princess, said Wang.
"I hope children can learn about the ocean and establish an awareness of environmental protection through our performance," he said.
The puppeteers would also combine modern multimedia devices with a traditional Chinese puppetry, an art form that dates back 2,000 years.
The drama is the second of the Monkey King serial produced by the theater after "Monkey King: Huaguo Mountain," which has taken 11.9 million yuan ($1.74 million) at the box office since April 2008.
"Although there are more than 30 films screening around China from Christmas to Chinese New Year, none is specially made for kids," said Zhao Yongzhuang, general manager of the theater, told Xinhua Friday. "Our work will fill this gap."
The theater also planned to invite primary school children to take part in the rehearsals, Wang said.
"They will help us to design some character's costumes. This will help us to understand what children really like or dislike," he said.
The troupe would stage 250 shows throughout next year and the theater also planned a national tour in the summer vacation, Zhao said.
Tickets to the theater range in price from 150 yuan ($22) down to 60 yuan ($9).
