A Japanese cult TV show based on a 400-year-old Buddhist saga is the unlikely source of
Wonthaggi Theatrical Group’s summer show.
By Sue Lindsay
MONKEY Magic is fondly remembered by every `80s and `90s kid and their parents. It first aired on the ABC in 1981 and the 52 episodes were repeated many times over the years. I was fascinated and loved sharing the excitement of his adventures with my children.
Later, as I travelled in Asia, I discovered so many references to this story: statues, miniature masks, and comic books reinterpreted with modern references and fart jokes. He was an icon of the Beijing Olympics, his image projected onto clouds.
Wonthaggi Theatrical Group is presenting a version of this story, Magic Monkey, at the State Coal Mine for their summer show. The epic saga of a heroic Chinese monk’s pilgrimage to India with a monkey king, a pig spirit and sand monster in a search for sacred Buddhist scriptures was first published in 1592. The novelistic quest lasted 16 years.
MONKEY Magic is fondly remembered by every `80s and `90s kid and their parents. It first aired on the ABC in 1981 and the 52 episodes were repeated many times over the years. I was fascinated and loved sharing the excitement of his adventures with my children.
Later, as I travelled in Asia, I discovered so many references to this story: statues, miniature masks, and comic books reinterpreted with modern references and fart jokes. He was an icon of the Beijing Olympics, his image projected onto clouds.
Wonthaggi Theatrical Group is presenting a version of this story, Magic Monkey, at the State Coal Mine for their summer show. The epic saga of a heroic Chinese monk’s pilgrimage to India with a monkey king, a pig spirit and sand monster in a search for sacred Buddhist scriptures was first published in 1592. The novelistic quest lasted 16 years.
Four centuries later, Anthony C. Yu took nearly as long to produce an unabridged English version of the monk’s mythological narrative titled The Journey to the West. It was this translation that I found online, free. I spent many happy hours with Tripitaka, Monkey, Sandy and Pigsy travelling, fighting demons and seeking enlightenment. My task was to choose a small selection of the one hundred chapters to shape in to a theatre performance for families while trying to capture the excitement as well as the poetic beauty of the story.
The Four Pilgrims in the WTG show, Bronwyn Peters, left, Bill Soumilas, Stephanie Chetcuti and Jake Dennerley. ome of the early Chinese coming to Ballarat in 1860 had to travel from Robe in South Australia, due to the head tax imposed by the Victorian Government. I have always been amazed at these gold seekers’ journey and in WTG’s Magic Monkey, I have called on a fictional character from this chapter of our own history to be the narrator.
In some of my favourite chapters Monkey confronts the demons of fire, flood and spiders. In another, Tripitaka spends a year delayed discussing philosophy with the tree spirits in the “brambles of too much thinking”. After so many adventures, with the help of Guanyin, the compassionate, the travellers arrive safely at their destination.
The story is an allegory, as are many “journey” songs and tales. Tripitaka is the ordinary man, blundering anxiously through the difficulties of life, while Monkey stands for the restless instability of genius. Pigsy symbolises the physical appetites, brute strength, and a kind of solid patience, while Sandy is sincere and good hearted.
However, freed from all kinds of allegorical interpretations, the story of Monkey is simply one of good humour, profound nonsense, good-natured satire and delightful entertainment, suitable for all the family.
Magic Monkey, WTG Shed at the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine, January 3,4,8,9,10, 11am & 2pm. Tickets at the door and wtg.com.au. $20, $15 and family $50
In some of my favourite chapters Monkey confronts the demons of fire, flood and spiders. In another, Tripitaka spends a year delayed discussing philosophy with the tree spirits in the “brambles of too much thinking”. After so many adventures, with the help of Guanyin, the compassionate, the travellers arrive safely at their destination.
The story is an allegory, as are many “journey” songs and tales. Tripitaka is the ordinary man, blundering anxiously through the difficulties of life, while Monkey stands for the restless instability of genius. Pigsy symbolises the physical appetites, brute strength, and a kind of solid patience, while Sandy is sincere and good hearted.
However, freed from all kinds of allegorical interpretations, the story of Monkey is simply one of good humour, profound nonsense, good-natured satire and delightful entertainment, suitable for all the family.
Magic Monkey, WTG Shed at the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine, January 3,4,8,9,10, 11am & 2pm. Tickets at the door and wtg.com.au. $20, $15 and family $50
The Tree Spirits and Tripitaka: Ron Cochrane, left, Maddie Thatcher, Annabelle Birt, Bill Soumilas, Frankie Murray- White, Anna Kesterton and Jack Duff