Osamu Tezuka is known as the God of Manga and his most beloved creation, Astro Boy, is now hitting the stage at the Barbican Centre in London. The story follows the protagonist, Astro Boy an android with human emotions who is created by Umataro Tenma after the death of his son. Eventually Astro is sold to a robot circus as an exhibit but is saved from his servitude by Professor Ochanomizu. Astro becomes a surrogate son to Ochanomizu who helps him to live a normal life like an average human boy, whilst accompanying him on his many adventures. The original manga ran from 1952 to 1968 and has been made into numerous movies and television series.
Pluto is the modern interpretation of this story by famed write Naoki Urasawa (creator of 20th Century Boys and Monster) and Takashi Nagasaki. The show is directed by Belgian choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and is a mixture of stage and puppetry. The show looks amazing and I would love to go but due to prior commitments won't be able to go, however if you've got a spare afternoon or evening over the next few days why not check it out?
