 TREVOR POELMAN POKES FUN AT FAMILY LIFE IN A PLEASANT ODE TO THE PEOPLE WE LOVE Family comedies are their own kind of craft. They're a different breed from the family drama or, as I like to call them, "The Play About All The Things That Went Wrong On That One Day in That One House To Those Poor People" and they're a different breed from most other types of comedies (which I have no other name for and no reason to ridicule). Like the classic drama but unlike the classic comedy, most family comedies still center around an inciting dramatic event (or several). However, like classic comedies and unlike dramas, the family comedy tackles dark subject matter by asserting the personalities of quirky characters and exaggerating the absurdities of inherent situations. The formula is specific and easily disastrous but Trevor Poelman has absolutely found a way to keep it together while keeping it fresh and, together with his company, Books Are Boring, he's presenting his glorious comedic accomplishments to us in his current Fringe Festival entry, If It's Not Too Much Trouble. As the winner of last year's Toronto Fringe Festival 25-Hour Playwriting Competition, If It's Not Too Much Trouble, represents a classically Poelman piece. Not only do we delightfully laugh through the various insights of each sibling as the family constructs a 25th anniversary dinner for their parents but, we are simultaneously ushered into a quasi-sci-fi world complete with lasers and scientific theories about living in a simulated universe. The result is a very strange and funny world complete wherein characters can successfully and playfully discuss their semi-dramatic personal issues. The result, in short, is laughter.
Poelman isn't a stranger to comedy. He currently has a web-series, Jeff is Dead co-created with Jordan Koop which he plans to continue filming. He's also devising a new comedy short which is rumored (by him) to "change the face of comedy". Sure, why not? Once Poelman makes you laugh, you won't doubt him either. CHECK IT OUT If It's Not Too Much Trouble runs at the Helena Gardiner Theatre. SHOW TIMES July 04 at 01:15 PM July 05 at 09:15 PM July 07 at 10:45 PM July 08 at 04:45 PM July 10 at 09:30 PM July 11 at 05:15 PM July 12 at 07:00 PM MORE INFORMATION: www.fringetoronto.com www.ifitsnottoomuchtrouble.com
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