Guardian Review for 'The Arrival'

'This co-production between Tamasha and Circus Space, inspired by Shaun Tan's graphic novel, captures the confusions of immigration very well. It's a beautifully understated show that encompasses many kinds of language: physical, musical and emotional.'

Lyn Gardner - The Guardian

I woke up early this morning to see what Lyn Gardner made of  'The Arrival'. I was delighted.  I am going for a run now in the snow...that features in 'The Arrival' -Tian Mey ( a Chinese woman who has escaped domestic slavery) remembers her first experience of stepping out into the snow.


 First time I saw it I was afraid to step into it wearing only my sandals. My toes were frozen. I thought this is a cold cold country' 

(Published in Methuen Drama Playscript of ' The Arrival'

A whole page of snow flakes each with their individual make-up are also drawn by Tan in 'The Arrival.' If you haven't seen this book go and buy it for your children. It's a definite Books For Keeps. This morning snow brings back a memory of my dad carrying me on his shoulders through a village in The Lake District because the snow would have reached higher than my head. It is these kind of iconic and poetic pictures and pared down, elemental human experiences that Tan captures in his beautiful book and that Kristine Landon-Smith and I in collaboration with Circus Space and artists, composers,  actors, designers and cheoregraphers have tried to echoe.

It's so gratifying that this journey has been felt.

As I set out in the snow this morning I feel my Dad's generosity of spirit and  remember that we are all carried on the shoulders of the many migrants who paved the way...and owe them a debt of gratitude.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2013/mar/22/arrival-review