Corker

It’s been more than a decade since Wendy Lill wrote Corker, a play that explores the tragedy of our over-burdened social service system and the need for the” haves” in society to both help and learn from those who face great challenges. The titular character is played with great energy by Will Brewer, a young actor who has Down syndrome. He superbly conveys the nuances of Corker’s sensitive nature and vast frustrations. Chantelle Dooley and Mike Taylor do an excellent job as Merit and Leonard, the wealthy career couple who grudgingly re-examine their lives when Corker appears on the scene. The cast is rounded out by fine performances by Frank MacLean as the exhausted social worker, Rick Brien as Merit’s less successful but more humane younger brother and Sheila Morrison as Merit’s kind and loving mother. See this play and judge for yourself whether the system has improved since 1999. –Kate Watson