This is a response to a live performance of Wild Rice’s “Public Enemy” on the April 9 at The Victoria Theatre, Singapore. Henrik Ibsen’s “Public Enemy” adapted by David Harrower, is a striking tale of Dr Thomas Chee, who single-handedly takes on a whole nation and is branded an enemy of the public, all because he is preaching truths that don’t want to be heard. It powerfully explores the controversially philosophical themes of freedom of expression and tyranny of the majority. It questions the nature of democracy, specifically whether people should blindly follow the majority or fabricate their own paths. The director, Glen Goei chose to set the play in the production house’s home of Singapore in honour of the SG50 celebrations, where this production is one of five different productions set up to represent each of the five stars on the Singaporean Flag. The stars represent: Democracy, Peace, Progress, Equality and Justice, in which Public Enemy tackles the theme of Democracy. Goei has chosen a very interesting set that genuinely suits the play. This is because the audience was sitting facing towards the stage, which is effective because the audience are mostly made to be as helpless onlookers as Dr Chee’s home is …show more content…
Public Enemy was a politically saturated, uncovered view at one man’s conquest against a nation. The play begs the answer to the questions, what is beyond the society 's view of right and wrong, and if someone does choose to make these more complex choices, how will the consequences affect their future. By using all grey sets, costumes and other theatrical influences, the play alludes to the dull grey world of political decision making. Public enemy is the medium that gives us the ability to ask the question, is the truth sometimes too