Benjamin Walsh &the Orkestra of the Underground: The Arrival

Groovelands & Top Shelf in conjunction with the Tata Literature Live Festival in Mumbai and DFAT present:
Benjamin Walsh & the Orkestra of the Underground perform Shaun Tan’s “The Arrival”

Award-winner Shaun Tan is one of Australia's most celebrated illustrators of picture books and young people's literature. His masterful sepia toned wordless novel, The Arrival, crosses boundaries by widely appealing to audiences of all ages. His story tells a melancholic, but hopeful tale of a refugee's adventure into a foreign, new world and the challenges he faces. Shaun Tan weaves beautiful images and articulate illustrations into an accessibly surreal story without using one single written word. It has also sold close to half a million copies.

When local musician/composer Ben Walsh randomly discovered The Arrival in a bookshop, he fell in love with the work and immediately imagined the whole story brought to life in sound. For three years, Ben concentrated on developing his vision to make this project into a reality. Thanks to Sydney Opera House’s Graphic Festival’s initial commissioning, you can experience this remarkable project of two visionary Australian artists.

The Arrival is brought to life on the big screen by the incredible Orkestra of the Underground. An amazing live 'sonic-scape' combines with Shaun Tan's exquisite illustrations to create a unique orchestral and visual experience. Ben Walsh unveils his score using a tapestry of instruments featuring violin, sousaphone, clarinet, guitar, tabla, synthesizers, drums and percussion, clarinet, saxophone, zithers and a collection of handmade instruments… and a vacuum cleaner.

The Arrival has seen sold out audiences at Sydney Opera House’s Graphic Festival, Melbourne Writers Festival, Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide for The OZ Asia Festival, Darwin Festival, Mona Foma in Tasmania and many more.

The 8pm start time will coincide with a live stream of this concert to audiences at the Tata Literature Live Festival in Mumbai.

Originally commissioned by Sydney Opera House for the Graphic Festival.
All images: copyright Shaun Tan: https://www.shauntan.net/
All images provided with courtesy by Hachette Publishing
Special thanks: Shaun Tan & Sophie Byrne