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The Arrival - Reviews

The Arrival is a stand-out physical theatre production of exquisite visual artistry and astonishing ensemble work performed to a visceral soundscore. It has – and will – grace festival stages around the world and is not to be missed. 

there is nothing the imaginations of this creative team is not equal to 

Red Leap Theatre is now a major force in New Zealand theatre and deserves support at every level. The Arrival is accessible to all ages and stages across the full spectrum of society.

The wildly energetic production is worthy of Tan's evocative original.

a highlight of the Festival... a visual feast... a mesmerizing, enthralling production rapturously received that speaks both of the past yet to the present. Don't miss it. 

Every once in a while you see a show that is such a breath of fresh air that you feel aglow when you walk out of the theatre:The Arrival is that kind of show....  

a genuinely magical show not to be missed. 

Short of alienating those stick-in-the-muds with the staunchest insistence on seeing only traditional, dialogue-driven naturalism, The Arrival is a piece of exciting, uplifting theatre that should be embraced by all who have the good fortune to experience it.

a tale of one man's journey told in one of the most imaginative and innovative ways seen in a long while.

From the moment the wonderfully 3D-like set of John Verryt unfolds, it is obvious that this is going to be an enthralling and magical journey. 

At times funny and at others poignantly emotional, greatly aided by Andrew McMillan's evocative soundscape, this childlike presentation, which is far from childish, captivates its audience from start to finish.

"exceptional" "held its audience in a state of rapture and curiosity." "This adaption is a storybook come to life, but it's also much more than that. Joyful but far from frivolous, it offers a sympathetic understanding of the immigrant's lot, using the type of warm, inventive, real-object performance that only theatre can offer. The Arrival is world class; one of the best examples of its kind you'll ever see."

"grand, expansive, enchanting, hypnotic spectacle" 

 “the highlight characteristic of this show is the ingenious theatrical solutions that continually surprise and satisfy.  In particular the issues of scale, zooming scenes in and out, e.g. from inside the hero's sci-fi air-balloon capsule to seeing a miniature party-balloon model as it floats over the rearranging flats that represent the numerous towns and cities passed by on our protagonist's journey, and back”

“Brought to life by the typically exemplary lighting of Jeremy Fern, the esteemed John Verryt's set design is a triumphant masterpiece in terms of visual style and functional versatility.  By degrees squared, Andrew McMillan's original music compositions and innovative sound design are of the high standard that a production of this quality demands, i.e. world class.”

"enchanting"

"restlessly creative… endlessly inventive" 

"incredibly faithful to the images in the book"

"it's one of the most repeatable and successful commissioned works I have ever seen at a New Zealand festival. Its a great fusion of music, design and movement."

"a delightful parade of innovations"

"Red Leap Theatre have succeeded in making a piece of magic which explores the immigrant experience with humour, pathos, understanding and real depth. It is a work that transcends the NZ world view (there are no NZ references in this work) to become truly universal. And for that they deserve a standing ovation."

 “a remarkable feat of imaginative confidence”

Red Leap’s adaptation of Shaun Tan’s book is not only impressively captures his visuals and his themes – it also shares that spirit of heartfelt invention.

I had trouble clapping to begin with because I was trying to laugh and cry at the same time.