Beijing Olympics

This is a link to the opening graphics for the BBC's coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing and is based on the ancient classical tale of the Monkey King. Journey to the West or 'Monkey' as it is more often called, dates back to the Ming Dynasty and relates the tale of a monkey king who having become too powerful and proud is punished by the Gods. He atones for his past sins by accompanying a buddhist priest on a perilous journey to collect scriptures. In this particular version, the west is replaced by the Bird's Nest stadium and I like the way they have integrated references to the different sport disciplines. Monkey is a loveable, cheeky rogue, helped along his way by Pigsy and Sandy, again victims of either their own pride of having annoyed the gods. It's a great story and a familiar allegorical tale that works along many different levels from simple derring do to political satire or one's journey to spiritual insight and individual enlightenment. The story became a cult classic in the 1970s thanks to the TV series Monkey and its theme song Monkey Magic. Any BabyBoomer worth their salt will remember this one. This particular version has been developed by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, the men behind the Blur and Gorillaz who brought this tale to the stage earlier this year. So far this highly successful show has been to Paris, Chatelet if my memory serves me correctly and is now playing at London's Covent Garden Opera House.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/monkey/7521287.stm