Acrobatics, songs, puppetry and martial arts combine to spectacular effect in the Australian version of Monkey ... Journey to the West, which will be staged at the Sydney Opera House next month.

Created by Kim Carpenter and co-directed by John Bell, one of Australia's most celebrated theater figures, the ancient Chinese fable has been given an Australian touch.

The production, which features live music, projections and giant puppets that fill the stage, had a sold-out premiere at last year's Brisbane Festival.