Poetic storytelling touching on everything from antagonistic squirrels to Chris Pratt’s abs

A coming of age story, told with deft wordplay & stunning projected images

From Sunday, February 11 to Saturday, March 2, Theatre Passe Muraille and Modern Times Stage Company present the world premiere of As I Must Live It, written and performed by award-winning spoken word artist Luke Reece and directed by internationally acclaimed audience-specific practitioner Daniele Bartolini, at Theatre Passe Muraille.

“This show is a culmination of ten years of writing spoken word pieces that started as a way to process my experiences and relationship with my father. Now…now it’s much more than that. It’s a beacon for those who have had similar experiences – and for those who haven’t. It’s a sharing of stories and poems ultimately to talk about something real, with as much heat and humour as possible.”

– Luke Reece, playwright, performer

As I Must Live It is a funny, endearing and thought-provoking new work from Luke Reece. Through poetic storytelling touching on everything from antagonistic squirrels to Chris Pratt’s abs, Reece shares his experiences growing up with a mentally-ill father in a mixed-race family. Featuring Reece’s signature deft wordplay and stunning projections from one of the UK’s leading immersive production design companies, Limbic Cinema, As I Must Live It brings the page to the stage for an intimate and pun-filled event.

Luke Reece is an award-winning poet, playwright and producer who strives to share authentic and engaging stories with audiences through his work. He is also the Associate Artistic Director at Soulpepper Theatre, one of Canada’s leading non-profit theatre companies. Through his work as an artistic leader within the national arts community, he advocates for entertaining and nuanced storytelling that challenges Canadian audiences. His body of work includes a radio play; an animated short; and Notice, a short film that garnered praise, featured on CBC. In 2021, Luke was included in York University’s Top 30 Changemakers Under 30 list. One of Toronto’s most decorated slam poets, Luke has represented Canada on the world stage of slam poetry, and was also featured by NBA Champion and former Toronto Raptor Serge Ibaka on his Instagram talent show How Talented Are You?.

About Theatre Passe Muraille

Founded in 1968 by Jim Garrard, Toronto-based Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM) is one of the first alternative theatre companies in Canada. Their name means “theatre beyond walls”, reflecting their mission to push boundaries; engage the audience in the creative process; and “examine the marginal, unexplored and unforeseen”. Committed to a more diverse representation of artists, audience and stories, they aim to give a distinct voice to the intercultural Canadian society in which they live, work and create.

About Modern Times Stage Company

Modern Times Stage Company creates original Canadian art, reimagines classic work, and adapts plays in different languages and contexts to bring holistic and innovative forms to contemporary and diverse Toronto audiences. The only Toronto-based theatre company that prioritizes empowering immigrants, newcomers and refugees as part of their core mandate, they are committed to exploring, imagining and creating exciting, radical performing arts in Toronto, while amplifying voices that have been historically and presently marginalized – focusing on artists who have immigrated or sought asylum in Canada.

 

(Photo credits: Collage and poster design by Emily Jung. Pictured: Luke Reece.)

 

Event details

Hosted by: Theatre Passe Muraille and Modern Times Stage Company

Type of event: theatre performance

Written and performed by: Luke Reece

Directed by: Daniele Bartolini

Dates: Sunday, February 11 – Saturday, March 2, 2024. Masks are mandatory for performances on:

• • Saturday, February 17 @ 7:30 PM ET;
  • Sunday, February 25 @ 2:00 PM ET and
  • Friday, March 1 @ 7:30 PM ET.

There will be a post-show panel on Black mental health moderated by playwright/performer Luke Reece following the performance on Sunday, February 18.

Start times: Tuesdays – Saturdays @ 7:30 PM ET & Sunday matinées @ 2:00 PM ET; plus additional matinées on Saturday, February 24 & Saturday, March 2 @ 4:30 PM ET

Duration: 70 minutes (no intermission)

Cost: Pay-What-You-Can-Afford: C$12.00, $35.00 or $65.00

Location: Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2P3

Trailer: Watch the trailer.

Booking link: Book your tickets here

Contact Details: Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 2P3, Canada; 416-504-7529, info@passemuraille.on.ca, passemuraille.ca

 

Content warning: Mention of suicidal ideation, mental illness, and grief. Water-based haze, moving video projection (chance of motion sickness). If you would like information on the topics or themes in this production, or to determine the suggested age for attending a performance, please reach out to the Box Office staff at 416-504-7529 or by email at info@passemuraille.on.ca.

Accessibility: All performances will be presented in a relaxed environment. This production will have a combination of live and pre-set captioning created through a speech-to-text program. Due to the improvisational nature of the show, there may be some differences between what is being spoken and the shown captions. More info on Theatre Passe Muraille’s accessibility here..

COVID-19 policy: Masks are still strongly encouraged inside the TPM building. There will be select “Mask Mandatory” performances for this production: Saturday, February 17 @ 7:30 PM; Sunday, February 25 @ 2:00 PM and Friday, March 1 @ 7:30 PM. See Theatre Passe Muraille’s COVID-19 policy here.

Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.