Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

N.O.N.C.E.

Written by: Steve Larkin

Presented by: Steve Larkin, Oxford, U.K.

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07/15/2011 4:29 PM | Comments: 0

MTC Up the Alley (Venue 2), to July 23

British performance poet Steve Larkin’s life takes a turn for the perverse when he lands a job as a prison poet-in-residence in this semi-autobiographical piece.

At first, Larkin (2007’s Inflatable Buddha) is just happy to have a job, but working with pedophiles, rapists and murders is complicated, not to mention awkward — “It’s like there’s an elephant in the room and he’s raping a panda with his trunk.”

A high-energy performer, Larkin goes to dark places, but he lightens the load with comedic flair. As he explores his relationships with the inmates and the women in his life, he’s forced to confront disturbing truths — about the prisoners and his own multifarious nature.

And in a crafty final twist, he makes the audience follow suit.

— Pat St. Germain

From the office Fringe Festival program:

Steve Larkin, "the spoken-word guru" (Winnipeg Free Press 4½ STARS), has landed the job of "Poet-in-Residence" at a British therapeutic prison. Follow him into every dark corner as he helps criminals escape through creative writing.

Based on real-life events. Identities have been changed to protect the innocent … and the guilty. Brace yourself for a year of prison, pedophiles and poetry!

Recommended For: Mature Audience

Length: 60 MIN

Tickets: $10

Under 18 not admitted.

Warnings: Subject Matter, Language, Strobe Lights, Herbal Cigarettes, Very challenging subject matter.

http://www.stevelarkin.com/

History

Updated on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 4:29 PM CDT:
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