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Sadler's Wells Sets Osamu Tezuka To Dance In September

'God of Manga' Osamu Tezuka is the subject of a new stage production combining music and multimedia, to open at the prestigious Sadler's Wells theatre in Islington, London in September. TeZuKa, by choreogragrapher Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, will receive its world premiere as part of the theatre's Autumn season, running for five evening performanes from Tuesday September 6 to Saturday September 10. Tickets are now available - see below.

From the website:

Widely hailed as the ‘God of Manga’, visionary Japanese animator Osamu Tezuka provides the inspiration for internationally renowned choreographer and Sadler's Wells Associate Artist Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's brand new work - TeZukA.

Famed for his manga creations including Astro Boy and Buddha, Tezuka's work has become a vital part of Japanese cultural identity. Working with a cast of nine dancers, two musicians, an actor and a calligrapher, all drawn from Europe and Asia, Cherkaoui explores Tezuka's fascinating world - a blend of tradition, science fiction and contemporary reality.

TeZukA will feature a specially commissioned score from award-winning composer Nitin Sawhney with lighting and visual design by Willy Cessa, plus projections of Tezuka's original illustrations alongside work by video artist Taki Ueda. Using the dancers' movements to trace the physical evolution of Tezuka's drawings - from a line on a blank page to a single Japanese kanji (letter) to a fully-formed manga character - Cherkaoui will bring the God of Manga's philosophy, drawings and characters to life.

A press release also notes that TeZuKa was created in partnership with the Bunkamura Theatre in Tokyo, and draws particular inspiration from Tezuka's Astro Boy and Buddha.

All the performances will be at 1930. The performance on Thursday 8 September will be followed by a talk by Cherkaoui, while the performance on Friday 9 will be preceded by a free manga talk at 1815 by Helen McCarthy. Tickets cost between £10 and £32 and can be booked on the Sadler's Wells site here. Children under 5 will not be admitted, Disabled visitors and groups should check with the box-office, 0844 412 4319.