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...