Shaun Tan 's masterpiece of visual poignancy is given even more life by The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

Shaun Tan 's masterpiece of visual poignancy is given even more life by The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.

The wordless and quite beautiful production is a mixture of acting, puppetry, animation and Tan's surreal and delicate imagery, seamlessly integrated with a truly exquisite score by Lee Buddle. I'd love to hear it again and hope it becomes available to purchase, because it was amazing.

The story of Aki, fleeing his homeland in search of peace and a happy life for his family is one of the most moving I've experienced. The alien world into which Aki, masterfully portrayed by Ellis Pearson with superb physical pathos and comedy, is one that is truly alien to all of us, not just the migrant Aki. But the positive aspects shine through in universal language - as do the negatives. The terrible threat from which Aki is fleeing is not understandable, but is frightening nonetheless.

The puppetry and supporting characters by Alicia Osyka, Adrienne Patterson
and Shirley van Sanden added humour and solid support. The moment shared by Aki and his landlady was very moving as he learned about her history.

The bird letters were an audience favourite.

The audience at the performance I attended was mostly children. Spellbound, intrigued and entranced, as were the adults. A nice touch with a question and answer session at the end where very small children asked very intelligent questions.

10 out of 10 extraordinary and a musical box made of stained glass and dreams playing that tune you loved as a child but had forgotten as an adult on the Sid and Nancy Scale.


Go see the play. It's on here in Western Australia at the Dolphin Theatre 1 -15 July

10am and 1pm Monday - Saturday,
6.30pm July 5 and 14
Dolphin Theatre, UWA
50 Minutes + 10 Minutes Q&A
Suitable for ages 6+
Tickets from $23+bf

It is then going on to tour parts of the country:

Ulumbarra Theatre (VIC)
11 August 2017, 10am & 1.30pm
12 August 2017, 10am

Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts Centre (VIC)
16 August 2017, 10am & 12pm

Colac Otway Performing Arts & Cultural Centre (VIC)
22 August 2017, 10am & 1.30pm

Burrinja Theatre (VIC)
26 August 2017, 10.30am & 1.30pm

Marion Cultural Centre (SA)
31 August 2017, 10am & 1pm

1 September 2017, 1pm & 8pm

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (NSW)
6-7 September 2017, 10.30am & 12.30pm daily

Lendlease Darling Quarter Theatre (NSW)
12-15 September 2017, 10.30am & 12.30pm daily

NORPA presents The Arrival at Lismore City Hall (NSW)
19 September 2017, 11.00am & 6.00pm

The Street Theatre (ACT)
27 September 2017, 10am & 2pm

28 September 2017, 10am & 2pm

29 September 2017, 10am & 6pm

30 September 2017, 10am & 2pm

Redland Performing Arts Centre (QLD)
7 October 2017, 10.30am & 1pm

The Arts Centre Gold Coast (QLD)
12 October 2017, 10.30am & 12.45pm
13 October 2017, 10.30am & 12.45pm
14 October 2017, 11am

Brisbane Powerhouse (QLD)
17-18 October 2017, 10am & 1pm daily

Empire Theatres (QLD)
20 October 2017, 11am & 6pm
21 October 2017, 11am & 2pm




http://www.sppt.asn.au/events/the-arrival-2/