I just came back from a performance by 十指帮, the Finger Players.
Modelled around Cheng Ho of China’s Ming Dynasty, the play narrates the life of this controversial Adventurer, Sea-farer as well as a Pawn in emporor Zhu Di’s imperial empire.
Personally, this was a refreshing view on Cheng Ho’s voyages. After so much sensationalism on how he and his fleet possibly made the first round-the-world trip, we might have neglected how the voyages expended the country’s wealth without contributing to society. What if the voyages, as the play narrates, served little but to expand Ming Dynasty’s ego?
In the meantime, the narration didn’t strictly follow China’s history. E.g. Zhu Di had not burnt his palace down, neither did Zhu Di kill his brother to usurp the throne (but he did force his emperor nephew to handover the throne) But I assume the depiction of the play’s themes was significantly more important.
But at certain points through the play, there were really quite some confusion. E.g. I didn’t realise that there were parrallels being drawn between Imelda Marcos, Virginia Woolf, and a Toy Astronaut lost in space, not until I came home and did some reading up. But I have to agree with critics that it’s a very odd presentation, and there could have been better alternatives.
Another odd point: The play deployed a Ms Universe and Modern Voice-overs to define the expanse of Cheng Ho voyages. This particular method got me quite intrigued… was there a strong motive that demanded this seemingly "lame" distortion in Time? or was it a cheap thrill to earn laughs and attention?
Technical-wise, there were no detectable hiccups, sounds was perfectly on cue, props and crew usage were excellent (simplistic yet substantial and symbolic enough to satisfy the visuals). The actors for Cheng Ho and Zhu Di were apt in their roles, but I found the drunkard prisoner’s acting a pleasure to watch.
Perhaps my take-home for the day:
Where is the Furthest North and Deepest South? When do we know we "are there"? there is an insatiable thirst and ambition for many… but what will be a valid mean, what will be the cost, what will be a good measure for success?
To conclude, an enjoyable play with very good usage of props I’d have appreciated an audience with more etiquette (the students at the back were a noisy bunch) but I guess we have to be thankful that there are people/schools supporting our local theatre productions.
"the play has a strong and fast tempo that keeps the audience engaged, unlike certain plays that hum-drum too much". — quoted from my friend
P.s. History Tidbit — while Ming dynasty was the greatest empire on the Glode in the 15th Century, things went downhill thereafter, and it can mainly be attributed to the the Monarchy — distrust of subjects, abuse of power, oppression, indulgence in royalty and enjoyment. At this moment I can’t recall any real "Solid" Ming emperor…
Links:
Finger Players
Inkpot’s 2004 review
Zaobao’s Review (Cached by Google)
