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Culture Stage

Fringe Review: Eraser

ERASER by Homeland Collective. Westside Montessori School (95 Bellevue). June 30, July 1 and 5-8 at 8 pm, July 2-3 and 9-10 at 5 pm. Buy tickets. Rating: NNN


This immersive ensemble movement piece from up-and-coming York alums Homeland Collective explores experience and identity politics in Toronto’s public schools from the  perspective of children.

Utilizing classroom and playground spaces at Westside Montessori School, the clown-inspired action follows a cohort of students from kindergarten to grade six where nap time, lessons, horseplay and arts and crafts serve as a window into their developing sense of self and their relationships within the group.

One of the strongest and funniest moments has the class struggling to draw their family trees, with each student encountering a different way their family deviates from the “norm.” Another powerful scene depicts a Muslim student feeling “othered” by his classmates’ celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah.

The most poignant moments take time to emerge, but are quite powerful when they do.

***

See related story here.

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