Directed by Trina

Based on the popular 1970's Japanese Television Program Monkey (or Monkey Magic), itself based on the Chinese Journey to the West, a Buddhist allegorical novel dealing with the search for Enlightenment.

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As the play races through scene changes, across China, India, Heaven and the Underworld, it was decided early in the design process to show these transitions using AV and Lighting, and therefore the set was designed to create a series of silhouettes as in a traditional Chinese mist painting. As the costumes were designed to be very bright, it was decided to take the silhouettes to their extreme conclusion and paint them matte black, with a dry brush effect to ensure their edges were not lost. The floor was painted gloss black to reflect the projection and bring it around the characters.

 

For certain scenes large cut-outs: a wok, a cauldron, a 'take-away' bag and an 'Eating Machine', were required. These followed the same outlined design as the rest of the set. Starting from the 'cloud river' downstage, two mountain ranges in different styles to indicate the vastness of the terrain, with the focal point being the Buddha's Pagoda in Western Heaven. 

 

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Lighting Design: Tess Reuvers

Sound Design: Joel

Costume Design: Jay Waugh