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.
Sidi Larbi does not perform in TeZukA.