Acting against poverty
Rhythm Activism educates through its unique shows
Coated in creativity, satire and humor, it draws the audience in through energizing
dances and songs, combined with colorful clowns and skits. The special appearances
by huge prancing Kraft Dinner boxes alongside popular Canadian politicians and executives
make the theatrical scene all the more radical.
Above all, though, this free 90-minute spectacle is educational. It is called Le
Cirque en Ca$h (The Money Circus), the latest show put together by the Montreal ensemble
Rhythm Activism.
The show was recently performed to 1,500 people at venues in three of Montreal's
poorest regions: Côte des Neiges, Longueuil, and Centre-Sud. Norman Nawrocki
is director of the show and co-founded Rhythm Activism with Sylvain Côté
in 1985. The cast of actors, musicians and personalities changes with each new production.
"The circus project is what we call a community cabaret," explains Nawrocki.
"It's to address the questions of how come we're all broke, how come we're all
poor and how can we change that. We aim to have fun, but we also hope to inspire
people at the same time."
Through Rhythm Activism's free shows, Nawrocki hopes to empower people in impoverished
neighborhoods by showing the implications of complicated issues like globalization,
commercialization, and privatization in a digestible and entertaining fashion.
Set to music provided by L'Orchestre des Elephants under the direction of Sylvain
Côté, the present performance features marionettes of the rich and powerful
such as former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Pierre Karl Péladeau Junior
of Québecor, and Laurent Beaudoin, CEO of Bombardier. There is a menagerie
of untamable animals who are hired on make-work programs as squeegee punks and dishwashers.
Academic kangaroos from Australia make their way onto the stage to simplify complex
economic questions. The giant Kraft Dinner boxes make an immediate impact as a staple
food of poor households.
An important aspect of their projects is working with community groups to determine
the needs of the districts in which they are performing. "In the past we've
dealt with tenants' rights, welfare recipients' rights and ex-psychiatric patients'
rights," Nawrocki says. "We've realized that things aren't getting better.
They're getting worse."
The Rhythm Activism phenomenon goes beyond its world-wide stage acts with several
concurrent projects, including putting out books, videos and albums. Nawrocki is
also a solo performer. He will be touring North America with a new educational sex
comedy this fall called My Dick and Other Manly Tales. He's also recently published
his latest book of poetry, fiction, and songs in French. Meanwhile, the band's sixteenth
album, Jesus Was Gay, has received rave reviews from critics and reached No. 9 on
the Canadian alternative music charts.
It is the versatility, diversity, and musical range of Rhythm Activism that makes
it appealing to all ages and audiences. Punks, grandparents, children, and families
are enlivened, amused, and ultimately driven by the various numbers the troupe perform.
Nawrocki says his work as a social activist evolved as a result of him wanting to
use his voice and skills to make a difference in the war against poverty. "We're
doing our job. We're reaching people who aren't normally reached." The show
has been so successful, he adds, that hundreds of people are turned away from full
houses each night it runs.
Nawrocki remarks that he gains a sense of reward when he hears audience feedback
to the productions.
"People say, 'Thank you. I've never been to the theatre before.' Another person
came up to me and said, 'You've given me hope.' "
- Margo Vizbara
The Gin Game
The Crucible at Centaur
The Beauty Queen of Leenaneat Centaur
Rhythm Activism
The Urban Dream Capsule in the window of the Bay
Having at Centaur
Very Heaven at Centaur