SECRET INGREDIENTS
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.
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Creator and Performer: Keely O’Brien Sound Design: Alex Mah Projection and Lighting Design: Andie Lloyd Access Consultant: Veronique/V West Additional Access Consultation: Amy Amantea Production and Stage Manager: Joël Azevedo Props Builder/Buyer: Jesse Orr Mentor: Maiko Yamamoto Secret Ingredients is developed through Theatre Replacement’s COLLIDER Artist Residency. It premiered at HOLD ON LET GO (Vancouver Feb. 2025), and was presented at Eastern Front Theatre (Halifax June 2025). Information for Presenters: Available for touring. View touring information package here. CONTACT: [email protected] |
AUDIENCE RESPONSES: “One of the best things I’ve seen.” "Wildly creative and tender-hearted." “A really unique performance experience.” “Incredible. I loved everything about it.” “The majority of us were crying throughout.” "One of the most unexpectedly funny and charming shows I've seen." "A constant delight to watch." "This show is genuinely a gift to the world." "Everyone, and I mean everyone, should see it." |
ACCESS INFORMATION
-An accessibility guide is shared online before each performance. You can download it here: word doc / pdf
-A pre show audio note is available to increase access for blind and partially sighted audience members (listen here).
-Cakes are served to the audience as part of the show. Eating the cake is optional. The cakes are vegan, may contain nuts, contain gluten, and may contain trace amounts of dairy and eggs. We also provide cake in to-go containers for audience members who prefer to remain masked.
-Content warnings: mentions of parent’s life threatening illness, psychiatric hospitalization
-An accessibility guide is shared online before each performance. You can download it here: word doc / pdf
-A pre show audio note is available to increase access for blind and partially sighted audience members (listen here).
-Cakes are served to the audience as part of the show. Eating the cake is optional. The cakes are vegan, may contain nuts, contain gluten, and may contain trace amounts of dairy and eggs. We also provide cake in to-go containers for audience members who prefer to remain masked.
-Content warnings: mentions of parent’s life threatening illness, psychiatric hospitalization
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
