Monkey King back on Beijing stage

Sun Henghai, CEO of Joyway, the production company of the play. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Adapted from the hit 3-D film, Monkey King: Hero Is Back, a stage production of the same title will debut in Beijing on May 28.

The 2015 film, which was inspired by the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, made not only first-time director Tian Xiaopeng famous but also 950 million yuan ($151 million) in box-office profit.

Directed by Zhao Chendong and written by Lei Zhilong, the play tells the story of the once powerful Monkey King who is confined inside a mountain by a curse until he is accidentally released from it five centuries later, regaining both his freedom and fame.

According to the play's executive producer Jin Dayong, who produced the film as well, the story has been adapted into various art forms, such as Peking Opera, dance and animation films, because Monkey King has a universal appeal.

Combining martial arts, dance, acrobatics, magic and traditional Chinese opera, the stage production is expected to show details of Monkey King's life in Mount Huaguo, his home.

If you go:

7:30 pm, May 28; 2 pm, May 29. Beijing Exhibition Theater, 135 Xizhimenwai Street, Xicheng district, Beijing. 400-610-3721.

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