The Arrival

Overview

Having won big the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards in 2010, The Arrival,  one of New Zealand theatre’s most innovative works, returns for an encore performance.

What drives so many people to leave behind everything they know to journey alone to a land where the future is unknown? Fleeing an oppressive force and leaving behind his wife and child, a man travels vast oceans in search of a better life. He encounters indecipherable languages, peculiar customs, curious animals and dazzling architecture. Baffled and bewildered, he endeavours to find a home, a job and the security he needs to reunite his family.

The Arrival is an adaptation of the award-winning graphic novel by 2011 Academy Award winner Shaun Tan. Like the book, this production is a tribute to migrants, refugees and displaced people worldwide. It is ultimately a story of overcoming hardship, of humanity and of hope – amalgamating “conventional” theatre with puppetry, music, movement and shadow play.

Interestingly, the English language is not used to convey the story. Instead the narrative is driven by a highly physical and talented cast including original creator Kate Parker, Alison Bruce (The Almighty Johnsons, Calendar Girls), Sally Stockwell (After the Waterfall, Outrageous Fortune) and Jared Turner (The Almighty Johnsons, Go Girls) to name a few. After its debut at Auckland Arts Festival 2009 (developed as part of the Watch This Space initiative), The Arrival went on to attract universal acclaim in 2010 at festivals around the Pacific Rim. The show has recently been picked up by the LG Arts Centre, Seoul and Busan International Arts Festival with seasons in May 2012.

The production boasts an original score by Andrew McMillian, lighting design by Jeremy Fern, costume design by Elizabeth Whiting, set design by John Verryt and a world of marvellous creatures and imagery by Kate Parker, Simon Coleman and Jessika Verryt.