Secret Ingredients
Artist: Keely O’Brien
Mainstage Presentation
Russian Hall (600 Campbell Ave, Vancouver)
Tuesday, February 4 @ 7pm
Saturday, February 8 @ 7pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Secret Ingredients - Keely O’Brien
Photo by Keely O’Brien
Image description: A cake sitting on top of a bright pink tablecloth. The picture is taken from above. The cake is decorated, covered in white icing, with light coral icing flowers and yellow sprinkles. There are real lavender sprigs around the outside of the cake, as well as pomegranate seeds. In blue icing, is written: “I broke + threw out your ceramic knife sorry for lying.”
Secret Ingredients is a theatre project created by Keely O’Brien that uses cake to explore the intricacies of human relationships. Leading up to the performance, the public is invited to consider messages that they find too difficult to express directly to someone in their life, and submit them via an online form. These messages are translated into beautiful, subversive, and delicious cakes, which are delivered to the intended recipients as an edible form of communication. The project culminates in a live performance and cake tasting, inspired by the cakes and the stories behind them.
Like overhearing tantalizing gossip at a neighbouring cafe table, Secret Ingredients satisfies a human itch to peek into intimate and relatable details of other people’s lives, while also inviting reflection on our own unspoken feelings. The project pairs sweet flavours with challenging messages: the dark chocolate of embarrassment, the citrus zest of annoyance, the tart cherry jam of grief. Secret Ingredients takes a playful and intentionally inefficient approach to the challenges of honest communication, and provides a window into the quirks, nuances, joy and heartache of real relationships.
Content warnings: mention of parent’s life threatening illness, psychiatric hospitalization.
Creator and Performer: Keely O’Brien
Sound Design: Alex Mah
Projection and Lighting Design: Andie Lloyd
Props Builder/Buyer: Jesse Orr
Access Consultant: Veronique/V West
Production Manager: Robert Azevedo
Mentor: Maiko Yamamoto
Secret Ingredients is developed through Theatre Replacement’s COLLIDER Artist Residency. Created with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
PLEASE NOTE
Cakes are served to the audience as part of the show; eating the cake served is optional. The cakes are vegan, contain gluten and nuts, and may contain trace amounts of dairy and eggs. We will have to-go containers ready if you prefer to remain masked and enjoy your cake later at home. If you have any questions, please contact us at holdonletgo@theatrereplacement.org.
ACCESS INFORMATION
For information on accessibility practices for Secret Ingredients, please download the access guide: PDF VERSION / WORD VERSION
A pre show audio note is available to increase access for blind and partially sighted audience members: LISTEN TO IT HERE
Visual elements of the show will be described, but sections of the show with audience participation have not been tested for accessibility for blind and partially sighted audiences. We recommend attending with a buddy, which could make these sections more accessible. If you require an extra ticket for a companion, please contact us at: holdonletgo@theatrereplacement.org
KEELY O’BRIEN is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice incorporates handmade objects with innovative theatre creation. Devoted to a thoroughly DIY process, Keely’s work includes experimental performance, imaginative ephemera, and interactive experiences. She often creates collaborative projects with community members who may not consider themselves artists, and invites the public to participate in unusual meaning-making experiences. Keely is Co-Artistic Director of theatre company Popcorn Galaxies. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Simon Fraser University, and is a self and family-taught visual artist. She is based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Information for Presenters: Available for touring. View information package HERE.
CONTACT
Keely O'Brien
keelyobrien.ca
keely.rois.obrien@gmail.com
Instagram: @keely.rois.obrien