Synopsis

A dimly lit theatre stage, where the boundaries between past and present, reality and ritual blur as the brutal history of colonialism plays out.

West, a British diplomat, embarks on a harrowing journey through Brazil, confronting the violent legacy of colonialism and his own complicity in the ongoing exploitation of indigenous peoples. As he moves between encounters with guerrillas, anthropologists, and missionaries, West struggles to reconcile his growing awareness of atrocities committed against native tribes with his role as a representative of imperial power.

Christopher Hampton’s searing play weaves together poetic retellings of indigenous myths, stark depictions of violence, and biting political commentary. Through a non-linear structure and ritualistic staging, “Savages” forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about racism, imperialism, and the human cost of so-called progress. The play’s unflinching examination of cultural genocide and moral compromise offers no easy answers, instead challenging viewers to grapple with their own role in perpetuating systems of oppression.