Latest news with #TheMonkeyKing
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Acclaimed chef returns to Celtic Manor with new concept
An acclaimed chef has made his return to an iconic Newport resort. Larkin Cen, who reached the finals of MasterChef in 2013, is back at the Celtic Manor Resort, where his culinary journey began. The Cardiff-born chef, who was originally trained as a lawyer, swapped the courtroom for the kitchen after his success on the BBC show. He went on to open Cen at Celtic Manor Resort in 2016, a bold Asian dining concept that quickly earned recognition for its fusion of traditional Chinese flavours and contemporary flair. Following a successful three years at the five-star resort, Larkin expanded his culinary vision by creating his own fast casual noodle and bao bar brand chain, now called XO. He later appeared on The Great British Menu before returning to the Celtic Manor Resort in 2023 with The Monkey King, a pop-up dining experience inspired by the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West. Nearly a decade since his first venture at Celtic Manor, Larkin returns with a fresh new vision for his residency at the resort's renamed Asian restaurant – PAD by Larkin Cen. Guests can look forward to a vibrant, refined menu, shaped by Larkin's journey from his parents' Chinese takeaway kitchen to national TV screens. A standout feature of the new menu is the Legendary Peking Duck Experience (£60 per person), an indulgent celebration of Peking duck, where the whole duck is served and cooked classically. The à la carte menu also showcases innovative Asian tapas, large plates and a Curries of Asia section plus set sharing menus offering diners the chance to sample a range of Larkin's signature dishes. Chef Larkin Cen said: "Returning to Celtic Manor Resort feels like coming full circle. "My vision has always been to take the traditional dishes I grew up with and elevate them into something beautiful, combining authenticity with creativity. "This new menu is a celebration of classic Asian flavours, presented in a fresh and exciting way and served in the wonderful surroundings of the resort. "I'm looking forward to returning to my roots and picking up where we left off." Celtic Manor Resort operations director David Griffin added: "We're delighted to welcome back such a talented and inspiring chef and look forward to this exciting new chapter in our shared culinary journey with the launch of PAD by Larkin Cen. "We know Larkin will create a truly special dining experience for our guests to enjoy." Larkin's new menu is available at PAD by Larkin Cen, with dinner service available from 6pm to 9.30pm.
Business News Wales
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Award-Winning Chef Larkin Cen Returns to Celtic Manor
Acclaimed chef Larkin Cen is returning to the Celtic Manor Resort, bringing his signature style of modern Asian cuisine back to where his culinary journey first took flight. Cardiff-born Larkin originally trained as a lawyer but swapped the courtroom for the kitchen after making his mark in the finals of MasterChef in 2013. He went on to open Cen at Celtic Manor Resort in 2016 – a bold Asian dining concept that quickly earned recognition for its fusion of traditional Chinese flavours and contemporary flair. Following a successful three years at the five-star resort, Larkin expanded his culinary vision by creating his own fast casual noodle and bao bar brand chain, now called XO. He later appeared on The Great British Menu before returning to the Celtic Manor Resort in 2023 with The Monkey King, a pop-up dining experience inspired by the legendary Chinese novel Journey to the West. Now, nearly a decade since his first venture at the Welsh resort, Larkin returns with a fresh new vision for his residency at Celtic Manor's renamed Asian restaurant – PAD by Larkin Cen. Chef Larkin Cen said: 'Returning to Celtic Manor Resort feels like coming full circle. My vision has always been to take the traditional dishes I grew up with and elevate them into something beautiful, combining authenticity with creativity. 'This new menu is a celebration of classic Asian flavours, presented in a fresh and exciting way and served in the wonderful surroundings of the resort. I'm looking forward to returning to my roots and picking up where we left off.' Celtic Manor Resort Operations Director David Griffin added: 'We're delighted to welcome back such a talented and inspiring chef and look forward to this exciting new chapter in our shared culinary journey with the launch of PAD by Larkin Cen. We know Larkin will create a truly special dining experience for our guests to enjoy.'
South China Morning Post
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
San Francisco premiere for opera based on Journey to the West
Published: 5:15pm, 7 Feb 2025 Huang Ruo watched his kids on Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic, his son dressed as Spider-Man and Batman, his daughter as Elsa from Frozen . 'I was just thinking, wouldn't it be nice to have a superhero figure from Asia so all these kids could have something from that part of the world to wear, to look up to?' the composer said. He decided to write The Monkey King , based on an episode from the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West in which a primate born from stone acquires supernatural powers and seeks immortality. The work, with singing in English and Mandarin, will be given its world premiere by the San Francisco Opera on November 14. Composer Huang Ruo, whose The Monkey King will premiere at the San Francisco Opera on November 14. Photo: Wenjun Miakoda Liang/San Francisco Opera via AP David Henry Hwang wrote the libretto for The Monkey King. Photo: Gregory Costanzo San Francisco Opera general director Matthew Shilvock issued the commission following the success of another work by a Chinese composer, Bright Sheng's Dream of the Red Chamber , which the company premiered in 2016.
The Independent
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Huang Ruo's `The Monkey King' to get world premiere at San Francisco Opera on Nov. 14
Huang Ruo watched his kids on Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic his son dressed as Spider-Man and Batman, his daughter as Elsa from 'Frozen.' 'I was just thinking, wouldn't it be nice to have a superhero figure from Asia so all these kids could have something from that part of the world to wear, to look up to?' the composer said. He decided to write "The Monkey King,' based on an episode from the 16th century Chinese novel 'Journey to the West' in which a primate born from stone acquires supernatural powers and seeks immortality. The work, with singing in English and Mandarin, will be given its world premiere by the San Francisco Opera on Nov. 14, the company announced Tuesday. San Francisco Opera general director Matthew Shilvock issued the commission following the success of Bright Sheng's 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' which the company premiered in 2016. Librettos of both were written by David Henry Hwang, whose 'M Butterfly' won the 1988 Tony Award for best play. 'We were looking at how do we continue building this repertoire of pieces that really resonate with an Asian American audience here in San Francisco but have the potential to cross the Pacific and find resonance in Asia, as well,' Shilvock said. Ruo's compositions include 'Bound,' which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 2014, and 'An American Soldier,' first seen at the Washington National Opera later that year. He is composing 'The Wedding Banquet,' based on Ang Lee's 1993 movie, to appear at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 2027-28 following its premiere at the Seattle Opera. Ruo wrote 'The Monkey Key' in part as a response to discrimination during the pandemic. 'That was during the time that Asians and Asian Americans were being harassed,' he said. 'I thought it would be good to have some positive energy.' There will be eight performances through Nov. 30, including a livestream on Nov. 18. Diane Paulus directs a production with scenic design and puppetry by Basil Twist. The title character is presented in three ways: by a singer, a dancer and a puppet. Tenor Kang Wang makes his company debut in the title role. San Francisco's season opens Sept. 5 with a revival of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' in a production originally by Mark Lamos from 1997, led by music director Eun Sun Kim and starring Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Adela Zaharia and Giovanni Sala. Jake Heggie's 'Dead Man Walking' opens Sept. 14 in new-to-San Francisco Leonard Foglia staging from 2002 to mark the 25th anniversary of its world premiere in San Francisco. Jamie Barton is featured as Sister Helen, and Susan Graham, who sang Helen in the premiere, is Mrs. Patrick De Rocher. A new production of Wagner's 'Parsifal' directed by Matthew Ozawa opens Oct. 25 with a cast that includes Brandon Jovanovich, Kwangchul Youn and Brian Mulligan. Rossini's 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)' starts the spring season on May 28, 2025, in an Emilio Sagi production from 2013 and will be followed by Strauss' 'Elektra' starting June 7 in a Keith Warner production originally seen at the Prague National Theatre in 2016 and San Francisco the following year. The six productions match 2024-25 and are down from eight in 2023-24. Shilvock anticipates a $15 million structural imbalance in this season's budget that projects $87 million in expenses, a difference that will be covered by a greater reliance on endowment. San Francisco sold 79% of tickets for its fall season, 3% above goal, and its average audience age has dropped. 'I do take a huge amount of optimism and encouragement,' Shilvock said. 'The core relationship of audiences to the artistic product is the strongest I've ever seen it.'
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Huang Ruo's `The Monkey King' to get world premiere at San Francisco Opera on Nov. 14
Huang Ruo watched his kids on Halloween during the coronavirus pandemic his son dressed as Spider-Man and Batman, his daughter as Elsa from 'Frozen.' 'I was just thinking, wouldn't it be nice to have a superhero figure from Asia so all these kids could have something from that part of the world to wear, to look up to?' the composer said. He decided to write "The Monkey King,' based on an episode from the 16th century Chinese novel 'Journey to the West' in which a primate born from stone acquires supernatural powers and seeks immortality. The work, with singing in English and Mandarin, will be given its world premiere by the San Francisco Opera on Nov. 14, the company announced Tuesday. San Francisco Opera general director Matthew Shilvock issued the commission following the success of Bright Sheng's 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' which the company premiered in 2016. Librettos of both were written by David Henry Hwang, whose 'M Butterfly' won the 1988 Tony Award for best play. 'We were looking at how do we continue building this repertoire of pieces that really resonate with an Asian American audience here in San Francisco but have the potential to cross the Pacific and find resonance in Asia, as well,' Shilvock said. Ruo's compositions include 'Bound,' which premiered at the Houston Grand Opera in 2014, and 'An American Soldier,' first seen at the Washington National Opera later that year. He is composing 'The Wedding Banquet,' based on Ang Lee's 1993 movie, to appear at New York's Metropolitan Opera in 2027-28 following its premiere at the Seattle Opera. Ruo wrote 'The Monkey Key' in part as a response to discrimination during the pandemic. 'That was during the time that Asians and Asian Americans were being harassed,' he said. 'I thought it would be good to have some positive energy.' There will be eight performances through Nov. 30, including a livestream on Nov. 18. Diane Paulus directs a production with scenic design and puppetry by Basil Twist. The title character is presented in three ways: by a singer, a dancer and a puppet. Tenor Kang Wang makes his company debut in the title role. San Francisco's season opens Sept. 5 with a revival of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' in a production originally by Mark Lamos from 1997, led by music director Eun Sun Kim and starring Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Adela Zaharia and Giovanni Sala. Jake Heggie's 'Dead Man Walking' opens Sept. 14 in new-to-San Francisco Leonard Foglia staging from 2002 to mark the 25th anniversary of its world premiere in San Francisco. Jamie Barton is featured as Sister Helen, and Susan Graham, who sang Helen in the premiere, is Mrs. Patrick De Rocher. A new production of Wagner's 'Parsifal' directed by Matthew Ozawa opens Oct. 25 with a cast that includes Brandon Jovanovich, Kwangchul Youn and Brian Mulligan. Rossini's 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)' starts the spring season on May 28, 2025, in an Emilio Sagi production from 2013 and will be followed by Strauss' 'Elektra' starting June 7 in a Keith Warner production originally seen at the Prague National Theatre in 2016 and San Francisco the following year. The six productions match 2024-25 and are down from eight in 2023-24. Shilvock anticipates a $15 million structural imbalance in this season's budget that projects $87 million in expenses, a difference that will be covered by a greater reliance on endowment. San Francisco sold 79% of tickets for its fall season, 3% above goal, and its average audience age has dropped. 'I do take a huge amount of optimism and encouragement,' Shilvock said. 'The core relationship of audiences to the artistic product is the strongest I've ever seen it.'
