Ultimate Safari

One of the joys of Perth Festival, while no longer carrying the “International Arts” moniker, is the opportunity to view international acts that would not otherwise come to Perth. A great example is the experience of Ultimate Safari, a production by Flinn Works and Asedeva, hailing from Germany and Tanzania.

Descending into the bowels of the State Theatre Centre, tourists (one feels more involved than an audience member) are seated, spaced apart on zebra print swivel chairs. Given 3D Reality Goggles we begin to tour Tanzania, our 3D journey interspersed with live theatre from three lively and engaging performers Isack Abenko (who also choreographed), Konradin Kunze (also assistant directed) and Happiness Majige (who is a gorgeous singer). Our 3D tour becomes 4D (or more) as we smell (and taste) freshly roasting coffee, smell meat being barbecued, are rained on and are given the opportunity to buy handicrafts and blankets made by local merchants.

The scenery through the goggles is spectacular, as we expected, as we see many of the animals for which this region is famous.

What I didn’t expect was the conflict and (real) drama of a Tanzanian Safari. We experience the queueing and bustle of over-tourism, we hear the plight of the local Maasai people displaced by the formation of the Serengeti National Park, and the politics of the hunting reserves immediately adjacent to the National Park owned by Royalty from the UAE, which provide needed income for Tanzania. At one point we were given the option of experiencing a Colonial or Contemporary meal. While I watched a video of colonial inequality, a fellow reviewer was handed a “menu” of hunting prices for endangered animals. We also heard from Massai man Labor Moko about the plight of his people.

A fascinating, highly engaging piece of theatre that left much food for thought. A fabulous addition to Perth Festival, that I wish could have been seen by more people.

Kimberley Shaw

Pjhotographer: Luke Riley