(copyright: Sadler's Wells)
How do you transfer the art and characters of one of the greatest manga artists ever from within the pages of a comic book to the stage? A question that Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui must have asked himself a few times before he started working on his latest show, TeZukA.
TeZukA premiered last week at the prestigious Sadler's Wells in London and may not have had the greatest reception from quite a few reviewers but after seeing the show myself, I can tell you that TeZukA is a little gem.
Yes there is quite a bit of talk and I also struggled with the character Black Jack giving lenghty explanations about why radioactivity doesn't kill bacteria, just like quite a few other reviewers, but this is not all TeZukA is about.
All the talking gives the viewer, who may never before have seen any of Tezuka's work, an insight in his world and sets the tone for some beautiful choreography and a great use of different media. From the opening scene, where a dancer has difficulty putting down one of Tezuka's books because he loves reading it too much to some very nice martial arts scenes and the endearing choreography of Astro Boy, I can honestly say that I enjoyed the show.
Cherkaoui tells Tezuka's life story through his creations in a way that only a fan could.
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui talking about TeZukA:
TeZukA will next be performed at deSingel in Antwerp (Belgium) from Sept 28th till Oct 8th and is expected to tour afterwards. For more information visit the Eastman website (English) here and check out the TeZukA blog (Dutch) with loads of little behind the scenes goodies here.
(All pictures and video copyright Sadler's Wells)
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