Empty by Hope McIntyre, presented by Sarasvati’s FemFest 2012 at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, September 21, 2012
Reviewed by Stephanie Adamov
Winnipeg bus driver Kris Doubledee’s altruistic act filled the headlines of local papers this week. Doubledee noticed a shoeless gentleman walking on the street and made an abrupt, unscheduled stop. The driver removed his shoes, offered them to the man and continued his route in socks. The passengers were stunned on that morning’s commute, and the tale travelled rapidly from community coffee shops to news desks across the country and even the Big Apple.
A staged reading from Empty; photo by Robert Barrow
Winnipeg’s premiere of Empty was performed in front of an overflowing audience Friday night. The story tells another tale of unsung civic heroes and utilizes the theme of FemFest 2012, “Staging Identity.” Focusing on the stories of real users of an unnamed local food bank, audience members get the opportunity to link stories to faces at a place where “everybody knows your name.”
Produced in partnership with the First Unitarian Universalist Church Food Bank and Winnipeg Harvest, Empty aims to dispel some myths and prejudices about food bank clientele. The list of characters extends from new immigrants to a novice mother, a dad struggling to provide for his son, and a grandmother protecting her grandchildren. Whether they suffer from drug addiction, disability, or mental illness, they all must wait for the same donations.
The air fills with anticipation as the food truck pulls up. Once every two weeks the recipients get the opportunity to pick through assorted canned goods, less than fresh produce, and if they are lucky, a bottles of shampoo.
A sense of camaraderie is established under director Nan Fewchuk as the recipients reciprocate by assisting volunteers to sort through donations. Former Winnipeg broadcasting icon Sylvia Kuzyk, who plays Tamara, is hired by the government to inspect the operations of the food bank. Kevin Anderson is the patriarchal ‘lead by example’ boss, Tom, who convinces Kuzyk to roll up her sleeves if she really wants to see how the food bank operates.
Though the focus is on the individuals rather than the operation, I felt that I was still unsure about how food banks actually work. Attention to detail in this regard, or perhaps supplemental material offered through the program about Winnipeg Harvest or Food Matters Manitoba would have increased an understanding of the play across the audience.
As Kuzyk sorts through dozens of rotten potatoes, playwright Hope McIntyre finds humour through dialogue and interaction between food bank clients. The discussion of welfare and the reality of death from addiction and gang activity is certainly prominent among some of the characters. The frequent funerals and threats uttered in the streets keep characters like residential school survivor Mary, played by Melanie Dean, ever vigilant. Volunteers played by Alissa Watson, Elena Anciro and Kevin Anderson are ever philanthropic and almsgiving.
An expansion of this play could allow it to further develop characters such as university dropout and drifter, Jimmy, played by Jeff Reyes and single mother Sabrina, portrayed by Brittany Thiessen. Sabrina’s conflict and desperation could have been flash backed even farther and would allow for increased complexity of character. Jimmy’s struggle and coping with substance abuse was a bit rushed in the hour-long play and at times seemed slightly unrealistic.
Through McIntyre’s script and Fewchuk’s direction, the scenes and personal stories run rather seamlessly. Delicate piano music and soft lighting transitions into the character’s personal accounts offered an almost cinematic gesture to the story. Tableaus and flashbacks layered this play and were a great addition to the linear narrative.
The opportunity to donate non-perishable food items at the FemFest venue was perhaps also a missed opportunity to provide a full circle audience experience. I believe it could have given a tangible indication of how art can impact an audience and benefit the city.
This work is owned by the city of Winnipeg under the With Art Community Art Project as administered by the Winnipeg Arts Council. The play will be touring schools in the fall to raise awareness and dispel negative rumours about food bank users.
Empty by Hope McIntyre, presented by Sarasvati’s FemFest 2012 at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, 400 Colony Ave., Winnipeg, September 21, 2012
A Shoeless Bus Driver and Some Hungry Characters
Columns
Empty by Hope McIntyre, presented by Sarasvati’s FemFest 2012 at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, September 21, 2012
Reviewed by Stephanie Adamov
Winnipeg bus driver Kris Doubledee’s altruistic act filled the headlines of local papers this week. Doubledee noticed a shoeless gentleman walking on the street and made an abrupt, unscheduled stop. The driver removed his shoes, offered them to the man and continued his route in socks. The passengers were stunned on that morning’s commute, and the tale travelled rapidly from community coffee shops to news desks across the country and even the Big Apple.
A staged reading from Empty; photo by Robert Barrow
Winnipeg’s premiere of Empty was performed in front of an overflowing audience Friday night. The story tells another tale of unsung civic heroes and utilizes the theme of FemFest 2012, “Staging Identity.” Focusing on the stories of real users of an unnamed local food bank, audience members get the opportunity to link stories to faces at a place where “everybody knows your name.”
Produced in partnership with the First Unitarian Universalist Church Food Bank and Winnipeg Harvest, Empty aims to dispel some myths and prejudices about food bank clientele. The list of characters extends from new immigrants to a novice mother, a dad struggling to provide for his son, and a grandmother protecting her grandchildren. Whether they suffer from drug addiction, disability, or mental illness, they all must wait for the same donations.
The air fills with anticipation as the food truck pulls up. Once every two weeks the recipients get the opportunity to pick through assorted canned goods, less than fresh produce, and if they are lucky, a bottles of shampoo.
A sense of camaraderie is established under director Nan Fewchuk as the recipients reciprocate by assisting volunteers to sort through donations. Former Winnipeg broadcasting icon Sylvia Kuzyk, who plays Tamara, is hired by the government to inspect the operations of the food bank. Kevin Anderson is the patriarchal ‘lead by example’ boss, Tom, who convinces Kuzyk to roll up her sleeves if she really wants to see how the food bank operates.
Though the focus is on the individuals rather than the operation, I felt that I was still unsure about how food banks actually work. Attention to detail in this regard, or perhaps supplemental material offered through the program about Winnipeg Harvest or Food Matters Manitoba would have increased an understanding of the play across the audience.
As Kuzyk sorts through dozens of rotten potatoes, playwright Hope McIntyre finds humour through dialogue and interaction between food bank clients. The discussion of welfare and the reality of death from addiction and gang activity is certainly prominent among some of the characters. The frequent funerals and threats uttered in the streets keep characters like residential school survivor Mary, played by Melanie Dean, ever vigilant. Volunteers played by Alissa Watson, Elena Anciro and Kevin Anderson are ever philanthropic and almsgiving.
An expansion of this play could allow it to further develop characters such as university dropout and drifter, Jimmy, played by Jeff Reyes and single mother Sabrina, portrayed by Brittany Thiessen. Sabrina’s conflict and desperation could have been flash backed even farther and would allow for increased complexity of character. Jimmy’s struggle and coping with substance abuse was a bit rushed in the hour-long play and at times seemed slightly unrealistic.
Through McIntyre’s script and Fewchuk’s direction, the scenes and personal stories run rather seamlessly. Delicate piano music and soft lighting transitions into the character’s personal accounts offered an almost cinematic gesture to the story. Tableaus and flashbacks layered this play and were a great addition to the linear narrative.
The opportunity to donate non-perishable food items at the FemFest venue was perhaps also a missed opportunity to provide a full circle audience experience. I believe it could have given a tangible indication of how art can impact an audience and benefit the city.
This work is owned by the city of Winnipeg under the With Art Community Art Project as administered by the Winnipeg Arts Council. The play will be touring schools in the fall to raise awareness and dispel negative rumours about food bank users.
Empty by Hope McIntyre, presented by Sarasvati’s FemFest 2012 at the Asper Centre for Theatre and Film, 400 Colony Ave., Winnipeg, September 21, 2012