Cherkaoui, Gormley, Shaolin Monks - Sutra

No matter how many times you see Sutra, the wow factor never pales. You’ve likely seen it before, as this extraordinary collaboration between the endlessly inventive choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, sculptor Antony Gormley and 19 Shaolin monks is celebrating its tenth triumphant anniversary at Sadler’s Wells.

The Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple in China are at the root of age-old legends that attribute them the ability to fly as they perform extraordinary feats of martial arts.

In Sutra they don't quite fly; but they do take to the air with mind-boggling energy, gusto and not a little sense of humour.

Cherkaoui uses their enthralling physicality to the full with a choreography that explores the unique philosophy behind the Shaolin tradition, its blend of faith, spirituality and athleticism.

The monks perform within a movable set of 21 wooden boxes created by the sculptor Antony Gormley. The boxes are like extra performers with which the monks interact, now standing on them, now moving them around to create sculptures within sculptures in a crescendo of ever more daring leaps and fast-moving sequences.

The music, especially commissioned from the Polish composer Szymon Brzóska, is performed live.

As a repeat viewer, Culture Whisper couldn’t recommend this show highly enough! Go!