Dystopian drama lacks insight

SET in a dystopian present, Prism looks at the fate of a town earmarked for redevelopment and its impact on the residents. Though the setting is not explicitly Singaporean, some of the references are, as are the issues.

The story centres on Aman (played by Fir Rahman who made his breakthrough in the film The Apprentice), a charismatic official of the Urban Redevelopment Board, who is tasked to evict the residents and clear the land for the building of a nuclear power plant. But as he goes about his work, he becomes drawn into the life of the townsfolk and experiences doubt and remorse.

Heritage, memory, identity, loss and guilt are the core issues of Prism. Originally conceived and directed by Toy Factory's Goh Boon Teck in 2003, it has now been revived by young director Rei Poh who has a keen visual eye and dramatic flair.

The play unfolds almost like a Greek tragedy with the cast of residents sometimes moving and speaking like a chorus. Poh creates the look and feel of a contemporary dystopia with a dusty, post-apocalyptic-looking set designed by Leong Hon Kit, surreal lighting by Genevieve Peck, an ominous sound design by Jing Ng and vivid costumes by Tube Gallery. Taken together, Prism has a rhythm and style that approaches the cinematic.

There is, however, a problem with the script. While it may have been adequate in 2003, it feels somewhat thin and shrill today.

The discourse on heritage has evolved, and efforts to conserve and archive Singapore's past have taken on a new complexion. Even if these recent developments don't have to be included in the play, the characters do need to be more complex and compelling beyond their one-dimensional stock roles of the guilty bureaucrat, the wise sage, the besieged but good-hearted townsfolk and so on. In some ways, Prism reminds one of the Mad Max movies minus the fancy Hollywood special effects.

The production is, however, a well-oiled machine. The production crew always hit their requisite marks. The cast is extremely well-rehearsed, even when they're tasked to perform unusual formation moves that involve going into spasms - yes, there are so many things that could go wrong, but actually work here. Standout performers include Alvin Chiam as the old man and Lina Yu as the blind woman.