N.O.N.C.E. - Time Well Spent

Touring three shows in five cities (with Fat Sex at the Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton Fringes and Tes at the Victoria Fringe), Steve Larkin must be a bit of a self-punishing performer to bring the intense N.O.N.C.E. to Vancouver and pull it off so damn well on his first night.

Based on his real life experiences as Poet In Residence at a high security prison, Larkin  narrates the story with his signature lyrical cadence, punctuated with emphatic physical gestures.  

Intellectually challenging as it is entertaining with prisoners discussing ambiguity for ambiguity’s sake (which is to be avoided), this show is decidedly unambiguous in its approach to looking at violence and, in particular, sexual violence against women and children.  There is a tension held between the poet’s horror at the crimes of his students and an empathy with them as human beings. 

Noting the best art in the world is informed by the (authentic) self, Larkin leads by example, engaging us in his own self conscious reflections on painful relationship and anger issues.  The idea of crime as the exertion of power over the victim is one to be seriously contemplated.   “She Said” is a powerful poem alone worth the price of admission.

In a world filled with media that’s saturated with violence and highly sexualized content and imagery, Larkin leads us to a place where we must question our own assumptions and self deceptions and to find the compassion for validation of our selves and others.  

In spite of Steve Larkin’s refrain “Too much poetry, not enough time, I’d say there’s never too much poetry, we just need to make the time.  This is 75 minutes well spent.