In 2000, the then D'rama Production, staged the powerful piece entitled My Name is Nadra, that opened 9th Nov at the Drama Centre. In 1937, the Hertoghs gave birth to Maria in Java. Five years later, with Mr Hertogh imprisoned by the Japanese, his wife gave Maria to a Malay family friend, Aminah.
Circumstances kept the two women apart. Maria was raised as a Muslim and renamed Nadra. In 1950, the Hertoghs sought out Maria and wanted her back. The dispute escalated into one of the worst riots in Singapore history.
When a play tackles historical events, it invites criticism on the issue of historical accuracy. My Name is Nadra, an adaption of the Maria Hertogh story, is no exception.
