“A rare non-terrible pop-classical crossover”-NEW YORK
“Breathtaking…effortless integration of different traditions”-TIME
NEW YORK, NY – October 28, 2008 – Following on the heels of the September 23 release of “Monkey: Journey to the West” (XL Recordings), an album based on the Mandarin Opera reinterpreted by GORILLAZ creators Damon Albarn (music) and Jamie Hewlett (visuals), comes an October 28 YouTube homepage takeover during which the duo will premiere the “Monkey Bee” video and curate featured videos on the YouTube homepage for a full 24 hours.
Featured videos exclusive to the MONKEY YouTube Takeover will include:
o The world premiere of “Monkey Bee”
o The making of “Monkey Bee”
o Damon & Jamie’s YouTube takeover and curatorial introduction
o Damon & Jamie’s Excellent Adventure (feature-length documentary)
In addition to these MONKEY firsts, bloopers, B-Roll and assorted other material, the Takeover will also feature supplementary clips related to the themes and inspirations that helped shape the unique musical and visual aesthetic of JOURNEY TO THE WEST.
MONKEY: JOURNEY TO THE WEST was first staged June 28, 2007 in the UK at the inaugural Manchester International Festival, when world-renowned theatre, opera and film director Chen Shi-Zheng enlisted Albarn and Hewlett to provide unique, modern musical and visual interpretations of the themes and characters of this most beloved work of Chinese folklore. The result was a new stage show for the 21st century that recast an ancient Chinese legend as a dazzling spectacle involving nearly 40 Chinese circus acrobats, martial artists and singers, and an orchestra of both Western and traditional Chinese instruments. MONKEY has since played to sold-out houses across Europe, made its U.S. debut at the 2008 Spoleto Festival USA, played at London’s famed Royal Opera House, and will soon begin a Nov. 8-Dec. 5 London run in a specially built tented theater adjacent to the O2 Arena.