Youth theatre brings Monkey! magic to Everyman stage

Oct 9 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

THE Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Youth Theatre return to the Everyman stage following last year’s sell-out debut performance of Julius Caesar.Š

More than 40 of the most talented young people from across Merseyside descend upon the Everyman stage in a new production of Monkey! from October 16–18, directed by Dan Meigh and starring Che Varley, Katherine Morley, Ian McGuire and Lucy Price.

Based on Wu Cheng En’s classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Monkey! tells of an epic journey to India to collect Buddha's sacred scrolls.Š

Monkey (Che Varley) is joined on the journey by the priest Tripitaka (Katherine Morley), the lecherous Pigsy (Ian McGuire) and the water-demon Sandy (Lucy Price).Š

But all is not easy for the four pilgrims as they must overcome dragons, demons, The King of the Dead and a 500 year mountain imprisonment before they can complete their quest.

This new production features massive puppets, music, dance and stilt walking by 40 young people from all over Merseyside.ŠThe cast have all had to learn different styles of martial arts in order to be able to master the complex fight scenes, and have also studied storytelling traditions from around the world.

Tickets can be obtained from the box office on 0151 709 4776 or online at www.everymanplayhouse.com.