Grab the kids, or anyone who’s free for that matter, and get along to see The Arrival. It could be the highlight of your week.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre has created something truly innovative with
this production. Based on Shaun Tan’s award-winning graphic novel of
the same name, The Arrival
is as moving and visually stunning as its source material. Its tale of
migration to a strange new land is a simple one, yet its themes are
universally recognisable and will doubtless resonate with many in the
audience.
The Arrival succeeds through simplicity. No more than three actors and a couple of cheeky puppets appear on stage at any one time. Giri Mazzella plays Aki, who journeys through homesickness, communication difficulties, poverty and general exhaustion in his new homeland. Mazzella is supported by Karen Hethey as Aki’s gruff landlady, and Sanjiva Giovanni Margio
as an elderly, understanding gardener. The actors communicate their
characters so effectively through mime that it’s easy to forget no one
actually speaks throughout the entire play.
Damon Lockwood provides expressive backup puppetry, but each
actor is called to the role of puppeteer at various points. These
transitions are handled seamlessly, and the two strange puppet
creatures that appear in Aki’s new homeland are a delight to watch.
They act not only as comic relief from the harsher realities of the
story, but also as intermediaries between the three characters and
their audience, making sense of each situation through endearing
squeaks and gestures.
The actors bring strength and humour to their roles, but the real stars
of the show are those who have worked behind the scenes to create The Arrival’s
inventive set, mesmerising projection imagery and communicative
soundtrack. These three elements transcend mere background as the music
and artwork support and even interact with those on stage. Best of all,
Tan’s artwork has a major role to play, combining with the music and
set design to create an engrossing world within the space of a few
square metres.
While this production is visually remarkable and emotionally rewarding,
there’s a chance some younger members of the audience, particularly
those unfamiliar with Tan’s graphic novel, may have struggled to
understand what was happening at first. Judging by the eventual
drop-off in whispered parental explanations, however, any confusion
subsided as the story progressed.
At just under one hour, The Arrivalwas over too soon, but its sense of joy lingered long after the curtains came down.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre presents The Arrival Based on the novel by Shaun Tan
Venue: The Playhouse | Canberra Theatre Centre Dates: 25 – 28 June Duration: 50 minutes, no interval www.canberratheatre.org.au
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Grab the kids, or anyone who’s free for that matter, and get along to see The Arrival. It could be the highlight of your week. 
