Time: 7.00pm

Date: Saturday, 2 June 2012

Venue: PISA Indoor Stadium

The highly-acclaimed acrobatic drama “Journey to the West”, one of China’s greatest literary classics will be brought to life in an acrobatic drama in Penang at the PISA Indoor Stadium on 2 June 2012.

“Journey to the West” is based on one of China’s literary classics, which tells the tale of the monk Xuanzang who travelled to India in search of Buddhist sutras, accompanied by the irreverent and capable Monkey King known as Sun Wu Kong, and two other disciples – Pigsy and Sandy. They had to overcome various obstacles and battle numerous demons along the way before reaching their destination.

The Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China brings this tale to life through an acrobatic drama which has won over 100 awards at national and international competitions. “Journey to the West” was named one of China’s Best Ten Masterpieces of Performing Arts for 2007 – 2009 and bagged the 12^th China Wenhua Grand Award 2007.

The acrobatic drama “Journey to the West” has enjoyed resounding success when it was performed in Wuhan, Beijing, Nanjing, Changsha, Qingdao, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia and Germany.

To watch the show, one can make a contribution of:
RM200.00: and receive 1 complimentary VIP seat
RM150.00: and receive 1 complimentary charitable seat
RM80.00: and receive 1 complimentary ordinary seat

Contributions collected will be donated to Chung Ling Private High School and EDEN Handicap Service Centre. This event is organised by Charlie Brown Café Malaysia and KQY Intelligence Inc. Limited (HK), and endorsed by the Penang State EXCO for Tourism Development and Culture. It is supported by Persatuan Keselamatan Sukarela Pulai, Real Productions, Exabytes Malaysia and FTG Media.

For more information, please contact 012-409 1117, 016-412 5528 or 012-401 9798, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also visit their website at www.journey2west.easy.my

Friday May 18, 2012

Catch the Monkey King

By CHRISTOPHER TAN 
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

IN their legendary pilgrimage from China to India in search of the Buddhist sutra, monk Tang Sanzang and his three disciples went through various obstacles, fighting demons before reaching their destination.

The Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China brings this tale to life in Penang through acrobatic performances depicting characters such as the monk and his disciples — the Monkey King (Sun Wu Kong), Pigsy (Zhu Bajie) and Sandy (Sha Wujing).

The tale ‘Journey to the West’ is organised by Charlie Brown Cafe and KQY Intelligence Inc Limited (HK) and the Chung Ling High School alumni.

Organising chairman and cafe advisor Alan Neo said the troupe’s 80 members would perform four chapters of the whole journey by acrobatics, wushu, dancing and music.

“There will not be any speech throughout the drama. The first chapter will show the Monkey King battling the heavenly deities after they are ordered by the Jade Emperor to capture the cheeky monkey for disrupting peace in heaven.

Are you ready?: (Standing from right) Pigsy, White Skeleton Demon, Lucy van Pelt, Snoopy and Charlie Brown posing for a photograph for a photo with (seated from right) Loh, Law, Neo, Ng and Lee at Charlie Brown Cafe in Straits Quay, Penang

“The Jade Emperor then appeals to Buddha, who confines the Monkey King under a mountain called Five Elements Mountain,” he said.

Neo said the Monkey King was kept under the mountain for 500 years, and could not escape due to a spell that was cast on the mountain.

“The Monkey King is later set free when monk Tang Sanzang comes to him during his pilgrimage and accepts him as a disciple,” he told a press conference in George Town.

Neo added that audiences should not miss Tang’s challenges facing the White Skeleton Demon in the second chapter, his courage to fight seduction from the Spider Demon in the third chapter and Tang’s journey with his disciples through the Fiery Mountain in the final chapter.

“The show in Penang is the troupe’s first play in the state and the fourth leg of the troupe’s tour in Malaysia.

“It has already performed in Kuantan, Ipoh and Genting Highlands,” he said.

“Acclaimed director Chen Weiya will lead more than 80 troupe members who will perform dances and breathtaking acrobatic stunts where the audience will enjoy modern aesthetics within a classical context,” said Neo.

Chen was the choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The troupe has performed in more than 40 countries around the world such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore and Germany.

Neo added that all proceeds would be channelled to Chung Ling Private High School and Eden Handicap Service Centre.

“I have donated 1,000 tickets worth RM200 each to Chung Ling Private High School and Eden Handicap Service Centre,” he said.

Also present were state Tourism Development and Culture committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang, Chung Ling Private High School principal Ng Jooi Seah, Chung Ling High School alumni vice-president Loh Lam Peng and Eden Handicap Service Centre assistant unit head S.K. Lee.

The show will be held at 7pm on June 2 at the Penang International Sports Arena.

Tickets are priced at RM200, RM150 and RM80.

For details, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 012-4091117/012-4939142/016-4125528/012-4019798.

Schools that need a discount rate for their students can contact the organiser directly at 012-4091117/012-4939142.

The public can also book their tickets via www.journey2west. easy.my.

Ends

four chapters from “Journey To The West”.

Tang Sanzang and his three disciples’ journey from China to India in their quest to attain enlightenment

troupe’s 80 members will perform various body contortion, flying trapeze and trampoline acts