Fringe Show Reviews

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Poor?ness

Written by: Mary Black, John Cook, Siigwan Ferland, Mark Head, Kyle McCorrister

Presented by: Forum Quorum / Winnipeg, MB

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Our Rating: Your Average Rating:

07/16/2009 1:31 PM | Comments: 0

What kind of a project would a group of wealthy teens undertake to effect change in the world? And more importantly, do they have the attention span to do it?

Walson, the clique Poindexter (Mark Head), tries to wrangle this group of five 90210-types into producing a film project about poor people. But they are so insulated by their wealth, their first hurdle is figuring out “what’s a poor?”

To answer this question, these humorously shallow characters try to learn a deeper lesson by wading into the fray and succeed in getting only their ankles wet. One gives up her credit cards and her phone. Another rides the bus. One tries sleeping outside in the backyard. They are all very inconvenienced.

The dialogue is uneven and needs work to facilitate a more natural delivery and smoother pacing for these characters, and the story needs a tighter wrap-up.

That said, there are some great lines and exchanges where Rex (Kyle McCorrister) and Randy (John Cook) engage in some pretty funny Abbott and Costello “Who’s On First?”-type banter.

Teen audiences will certainly relate to, and laugh along with, these high school hallway stereotypes.

— Wendy Burke

From the official Fringe program:

Five wealthy teenagers decide to make a blockbusting, money-making documentary about the lives of poor people. After several attempts to understand "poorness", they brazenly set forth to film the lifestyles of the poor and nameless.

A lighthearted look at how film and television distort our view of reality.

Forum Quorum is an outgrowth of MTYP's Aboriginal Arts Training and Mentorship Program.

Warnings: Language,
RECOMMENDED: General Audience

60 min.

Venue#5 Son of Warehouse 140 Rupert Ave

Tickets: $7
Discount Tickets: $5 for Students, Seniors, Unemployed

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