Theatre Review: Roots, The FInger Players

The production Roots written by Oliver Chong of The Finger Players staged at the Drama Centre Black Box must be one of the most memorable performance in Singapore this year.

Director / playwright/ set designer/ performer Oliver Chong went on a trip to search for his ancestrial roots. With only scant information from his grandmother and the internet community, he identified a few cities which resembled his grandfather's hometown.

There, he met kind souls and helpful hotel staff which led him to the town which he believed was where his grandfather came from.  These individuals were vividly portrayed by Oliver Chong, who played all of the characters.  

The stage design was simple but effective. It consisted of a small stage filled with rice grains where the actor created words and patterns on it.  An old transister radio and a rice cooker were the only 2 permanent props on stage.

This production proved that a well written non-complicated script, coupled with sincere acting, could capture the attention of the audience.  This production should be restaged to more audience.