Performance - Monkey Journey to the West

Title: Monkey Journey to the West
Rating (out of 100): 100
Mood: happy
Website: http://www.monkeyjourneytothewest.com/the-opera/
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/london/classical/event/121232/monkey-journey-to-the-west.html%20/ / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/performance/monkey-journey-to-the-west-o2-london/


I saw this show during the summer in London’s Royal Opera House as part of the special performances related to the Beijing Olympics. I was blown away. It is one of these shows that is difficult to classify as it includes various acrobatics, martial arts, rope dancing as well as incorporating a wide range of music – from Chinese opera to modern house / funk and visuals (animation, video projection). The show is quite a spectacular example of the old cliché of East meeting West and it is funny and interesting and engaging. It is based on one of the old Chinese tails about the Monkey King and his journeys as well as the characters that he meets along the way. Completely sung in Chinese (Mandarin), there are surtitles in English that help the English speakers in the audience follow the story. The show combines the efforts of some heavy hitters in their own fields and geographies and it shows – it is a great collaboration of talent. Overall a very entertaining and incredibly unique show that is a must see. Having been popularly received, it is now enjoying an extended run in the O2.

Performance - Ballet - Ondine (Royal Opera House)

I recently went to the Royal Opera House to see some ballet (Ondine - http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=7068). All in all, it was fairly good and had its moments, but the dancing that involved multiple people was a bit sloppy (one woman even fell) and the costumes and setting could have been better. There were moments when it felt more like a cheesy musical rather than a moody and beautiful ballet. However, the lead woman was indeed fantastic and her body moved like water.

I have been to the ROH a number of times for various events and regardless of the occasion, it’s always a fun event. Despite the overpriced booze (£11 per champagne glass), questionable service (Sir, can I please have another cup of coffee because this one seems to have a lipstick stain from prior use), and super cosy seats (good luck to you if you’re over 5 foot tall), it is a beautiful setting with a very unique ambiance. However, what I also find amusing is the audience checking each other out, and in fact, that’s half the fun for me. Having toured a number of European opera houses in the weekend trip uniform of jeans and city sneakers, I am especially delighted to get judgmental looks by people who dress up to go to the opera / ballet (fair enough, to each their own) and who give me dirty looks for not trying harder. I guess I must have been mistaken as I thought that we buy the tickets to see the opera / ballet performance, not the other members of the audience. I guess I was wrong.

http://www.roh.org.uk/