Gimme Shelter

It's late when you nestle cozily beneath the soft covers, only to hear the rustle of night coming from beyond the sanctity of your bedroom's four walls. Never has the thought occurred that one day those walls could quickly vanish, leaving no safeguard between you and the rest of the world — until you enter Kangaroo Court. This satirical performance piece splits the audience into two groups through random ticket distribution: the homeowners and the homeless. And if that's not maddening enough, each set will be asked to come to its own defense during a mock trial. All the Trading Places-esque fun occurs in tandem with a panel discussion on homelessness led by Tom Burnham, director of Peter & Paul Community Services. Kangaroo Court is in session at 6 p.m. in Gallery 210's auditorium on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus (1 University Drive at Natural Bridge Road; 314-516-5976 or gallery210.umsl.edu). The performance is part of Gallery 210's current exhibition, Urgent Shelter, which explores the viability of low-cost, socially responsible temporary housing through photos, drawings, architectural renderings and four actual shelters.
Thu., March 13, 2008