BEST FESTIVAL EVER - HOW TO MANAGE A DISASTER
Created by Boho Interactive Science-Theatre Ensemble in collaboration with Sydney Collective, Applespiel
Devised by David Finnigan and David Shaw. Facilitated by Applespiel performers Nikki Kennedy, Rachel Roberts and Nathan Harrison.
Street One. The Street Theatre. August 12 - 22. 2015
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
 |
| BEST EVER FESTIVAL - HOW TO MANAGE A DISASTER Audiences interact to explore the nature of complex systems science |
I have been an avid supporter of
the work of Boho Interactive Theatre since I first viewed their production of A Prisoner’s Dilemma at an Adelaide
Fringe Festival. I was intrigued by their unique ability to combine science
principles with theatre conventions and introduce audiences to the fascinating
phenomenon of Game Theory, using interactive techniques, which have become the
trademark of this innovative and thought provoking company. Over the years,
their techniques have become far more sophisticated, resulting in video-streaming
and interactive smart phone participation in Word Play at the CSIRO.
More recently, they have returned
to a more traditional approach with their latest collaboration with Applespiel
from Sydney to present Best Festival Ever
– How to Manage a Disaster, which explores the science of complex systems
management. Traditional that is in the
fact that the event is presented as a fun-filled and absolutely engaging board
game at which audience are encouraged to manage all aspects of creating a music
festival upon an unspoiled rural landscape of green grass divided by a gently
flowing river. Their approach to describing how a system works is far from
traditional however. It is innovative, entertaining and illuminating, and at
the end of the evening the education is furthered by a conversation with an
eminent scientist.
Boho’s interactive concept to
describe system management is orchestrated by the three facilitator/performers
from Applespiel. Nikki Kennedy, Rachel Roberts and Nathan Harrison introduce
the audience of about thirty, gathered around the long table, to the task of
converting the landscape to a music festival venue, occupied by the various
sub-systems of access, amenities, electricity and the concert/performance. What follows is a carefully directed process
to show how the various systems that interconnect are essential to the success
of an effective festival. A thin plotline leads the audience through the
experiences of three characters, Val, the production manager, Eliot an enthusiastic
festival goer and Liz, an aspiring musician, eager to avoid her father’s with
to have her enter military service and pursue her passion by playing with lead
feature, Powderfinger. Each character
becomes embroiled in a series of problems that can only be solved by the
audience. They need to build the various parts of the festival, including
toilets, food outlets, stages and service roads. Applespiel facilitators then
set time limits to construct the various parts of the venue, deliver resources,
create access points, transport the power and decide on locations etc.
 |
| The excitement erupts |
The table erupts into a babble of
excitement, climaxing in the threat of an impending flooding and the subsequent
mayhem to ensure the security of the venue and the safety of the festival
goers. Incorrect choices could result in a breakdown of the subsystems and
indeed the entire system. For correct choices the participants in the game
receive audience friendly figures. For incorrect choices, they are given a
garbage bag, with the instruction that they must not exceed four garbage bags
or the beautiful landscape will be permanently damaged.
Needless to say all ends happily.
The farmer’s sheep are rescued. Val has saved the festival. Eliot has a great
time and is not run down by a truck on the service road and the Powderfinger
concert goes ahead on the mainstage with Liz as a support artist. However, we
are reminded of the fragility of complex systems, their interrelationship and
the importance of preserving equilibrium and inter-reliance
After the excitement has died
down, and the damage is restored to its former glory, audiences are invited to
have a drink from the bar and return to listen to a scientist who has also
participated in the game. John Finnegan from the CSIRO described the nature of
systems with particular emphasis on the effect of natural systems on climate
change, leaving no doubt in my mind that this is a major concern to be faced by
world governments with a prospect of real damage to the environment and humanity
if action to prevent the damaging effect of carbon emissions is not implemented
immediately.
I am no scientist, nor did I ever
achieve good results in my relatively limited science education. And yet, each
time I attend a Boho Interactive event, created by members of the team, David
Finnegan and David Shaw at Best Festival
Ever – How to Manage a Disaster, I discover the intricacies of science
through the lifting of a veil of mystery by this remarkable interactive
company. Their latest production is a revelation of the simple truths of
complex principles, and although I remain rather nonplussed by scientific
theory and concepts, a light has been shone upon my limited knowledge in a way
that is entertaining, fun, thought-provoking and illuminating. Theatre in
Education and Science fuse into an ingeniously created, audience-accessible and
awareness-raising event that provides an insight into the way our world works
and our responsibility to preserve its balance.
The creative force of Boho
Interactive in collaboration with Applespiel should be a regular feature in
every science classroom. This is what
makes learning fun!
