Celebrated Flemish/Moroccan choreographer SIDI LARBI CHERKAOUI, in collaboration with Turner Prize winning artist ANTONY GORMLEY, presents a brand new dance work inspired by the skill, strength and spirituality of Buddhist Shaolin monks.

Polish composer SZYMON BRZÓSKA has created a beautiful brand new score for piano, percussion and strings which is played live.

The 17 Monks performing in Sutra are directly from the original Shaolin Temple, situated near Dengfeng City in the Henan Province of China. In 1983 the State Council defined the Shaolin Temple as the key national Buddhist Temple. By visiting the Shaolin Temple, and working with the Shaolin Monks over several months, Sidi Larbi follows a lifelong interest of exploring the philosophy and faith behind the Shaolin tradition, its relationship with KungFu, and its position within a contemporary context.

• Unique and exclusive recording at Sadler’s Wells of this worldwide box office hit. “Sutra” is due to being another world tour late January 2009, timed with the release of the DVD;

• Legendary status and popularity of the Shaolin Monks. Attract huge numbers of followers from all over the world to train in KungFu at the Shaolin Temple;

• Exclusive DVD bonus features: in-depth interviews with key collaborators, including internationally acclaimed choreographer Sidi Larbi Cerkaoui (zero degrees), composer Szymon Brzóska and artist Antony Gormley, stills gallery and limited edition collector’s booklet;

“unique, profoundly imagined” 5 STARS
The Guardian

“This new Sadler’s Wells production exceeds even our highest expectations” 5 STARS
The Times

“Remarkable... part martial arts spectacular, part conceptual art, which thrills…” 4 STARS
The Independent