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Five performers engage in tug-of-war-like movement with each other's arms - in a pair and a trio - as the audience watches in the background of the close, intimate space.
Five performers engage in tug-of-war-like movement with each other's arms - in a pair and a trio - as the audience watches in the background of the close, intimate space.
Photo: ELEPHANT. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.

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in the face of life’s biggest challenges.

Photo: ELEPHANT. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.

Home Events Performance Game of Life

Game of Life

For three days only, from Thursday, March 27 to Saturday, March 29, 2025 – The Theatre Centre presents the world premiere of bluemouth inc.’s Game of Life. Based on the personal story of bluemouth inc. artist and writer Lucy Simic, Game of Life is two-part exploration of mortality, the urgency of time, and the holding and letting go of relationships. It is presented and experienced through both a live performance (ELEPHANT) and an interactive video installation (LUCY AI).

Expect laughter, dancing & moments that will stay with you long after the show

ELEPHANT. This live performance brings audiences into a shared space with the performers, where the ripple effects of one life-changing event unfold. It’s part documentary, part lucid dream and not entirely under control. Devised collectively over a period of five years, this performance brings together the talents and creativity of a dynamic team of collaborators, including Deanna Choi, Tony Chong, Lisa Humber, Erum Khan, Patrick Lavender, Mariel Marshall, Jeremy Mimnagh, Stephen O’Connell, Carol Prieur, Lucy Simic and Michael Wanless.

A multimedia performance, with a projected image and live performers surrounded by an audience. In the background, a projection of a woman in a red bikini floating in the water. Using a pair of long table-like platforms as a stage, a solitary female actor in a running pose on the left, facing a group of five performers sitting at the other end, on the right. The audience is seated around the platforms, with some standing in the background.

(Photo credits: bluemouth inc. ELEPHANT. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.)

LUCY AI. When Lucy was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2018, her dear friend David Usher wanted to make sure her memories lived on. The result is LUCY AI – an interactive video installation of Lucy’s inner world. It’s personal, powerful, and changes every time it’s experienced. LUCY AI was created by bluemouth inc.’s Core Members, with Patrick Lavender (technical director), Stephen O’Connell (cinematography), Lucy Simic (writer), L Wilson-Spiro (video designer) and Richard Windeyer (composer), in collaboration with David Usher (concept and AI creation) of ReImagine AI.

An audience gathered in a darkened room, watching a video installation featuring two projected images. The left image is of a person with a straw fedora pulled down over their eyes. The right image is of a woman in a navy tank top, lying on a beach, her right hand shielding her eyes. In the foreground, on the left, a person with their back to us holds up their phone, recording the experience.

(Photo credits: bluemouth inc. LUCY AI. Photo by Tony Chong.)

Following this world premiere at The Theatre Centre, the show will head to La MaMa Moves! Dance Festival in New York City from April 10 to May 4, 2025.

“Toronto audiences will likely know bluemouth from their wildly popular shows Dance Marathon or Café Sarajevo, which both toured around the world. Audiences and critics alike have often struggled to find the words to describe a bluemouth inc. experience, but it’s usually something along the lines of “unforgettable”, “thrilling”, “unexpected”, “unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.” I’m especially excited for The Theatre Centre to be presenting the world premiere of Game of Life, which brings together two incredible works. It means so much to us that bluemouth trusts The Theatre Centre to be the home for their most deeply personal stories.”

– Aislinn Rose, Artistic Director, The Theatre Centre

About bluemouth inc.

bluemouth inc. is an award-winning Canadian performance collective celebrating 25 years of creating bold, immersive experiences that push the boundaries of live performance. Since 1998, they’ve captivated audiences around the world with groundbreaking works like Dance Marathon, It Comes in Waves, and Cafe Sarajevo. Blending theatre, dance and technology, they craft performances that resonate deeply on a personal level while reflecting the complexities of our times. Game of Life continues this tradition.

About The Theatre Centre

The Theatre Centre is a nationally recognized live-arts incubator and community hub. Their mission is to offer a home for creative, cultural and social interactions to invent the future. They make work that spans disciplines and genres; work that pushes the boundaries of what is considered “art”. Their programming and their role as a community space are inextricably linked. Art is not made in a silo: it is connected to the world around it.

Five performers engage in tug-of-war-like movement with each other's arms - in a pair and a trio - as the audience watches in the background of the close, intimate space.

(Photo credits: bluemouth inc. ELEPHANT. Photo by Francesca Chudnoff.)

 

Event details

Hosted by: The Theatre Centre presents a bluemouth inc. production 

Type of event: immersive live performance + interactive video installation

Game of Life creators: Lisa Humber, Mariel Marshall, Stephen O’Connell and Lucy Simic (bluemouth inc. Core Members)

ELEPHANT collaborators: Deanna Choi, Tony Chong, Lisa Humber, Erum Khan, Patrick Lavender, Mariel Marshall, Jeremy Mimnagh, Stephen O’Connell, Carol Prieur, Lucy Simic & Michael Wanless. Read about them here.

LUCY AI creative team: bluemouth inc.’s Core Members, with Patrick Lavender (technical director), Stephen O’Connell (cinematography), Lucy Simic (writer), L Wilson-Spiro (video designer) & Richard Windeyer (composer), in collaboration with David Usher (concept and AI creation).

Dates: Thursday, March 27 – Saturday, March 29, 2025

ELEPHANT start times:

  • Thursday – Saturday evenings @ 8:00 PM ET
  • Saturday matinée @ 3:00 PM
  • ELEPHANT ticket holders also enjoy free access to the LUCY AI installation – just show your ticket at the door. See the LUCY AI times below.

LUCY AI start times: For audiences who would like to experience LUCY AI from the beginning, they suggest arriving at the start times below. Please note that if they’re at full capacity, there may be a line up. If you have mobility access needs, their box office will be pleased to assist. LUCY AI can be viewed in their upstairs gallery space. Audiences will be able to walk in any time during installation hours (subject to capacity). Pay-what-you-want at the door, no advance booking required. ELEPHANT ticket holders enjoy free access – just show your ticket at the door. The installation runs in 90-minute intervals starting at these times:

  • Thursday, March 27 & Friday, March 28 @ 12:00 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM ET
  • Saturday, March 29 @ 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM ET

Duration: ELEPHANT runs approx. 90 minutes (no intermission) | LUCY AI runs in 90-minute intervals (see above)

Cost: C$30.00

  • Single show tickets to Game of Life include a selected performance of ELEPHANT and access to the LUCY AI installation.
  • LUCY AI is also available as a stand-alone experience, with PWYC (Pay-What-You-Can) entry.
  • Financial accessibility information here.

Location: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M6J 1J1

Trailer: Watch the ELEPHANT trailer.

Booking link:

  • Book your tickets for Game of Life – ELEPHANT here. ELEPHANT ticket holders also enjoy free access to the LUCY AI installation – just show your ticket at the door.
  • LUCY AI is also available as a stand-alone experience, with PWYC entry – no booking link (refer to the start times above to experience the full installation).

Contact details: The Theatre Centre, 1115 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON, M6J 1J1, Canada; Box Office: (416) 538-0988, boxoffice@theatrecentre.org, theatrecentre.org

 

Content warning: For ELEPHANT: suicide, cancer, strong language (swearing), smoke or incense may be used, strobing light effects. The piece is ambulatory – audiences move throughout the space. Stationary seating is available for those who require it. The performance includes audience participation where sensitive topics may be shared and discussed. Parental guidance is advised for younger attendees. Suggested age is 14+. For LUCY AI: This installation is appropriate for all ages.

Accessibility: For ELEPHANT: The piece is ambulatory – audiences move throughout the space. Stationary seating is available for those who require it. The Theatre Centre is physically accessible to audiences and artists alike. Each level has a barrier-free washroom and there’s a lift available for public use. If you have questions or need specific accommodations, please email or call the box office at 416-538-0988 and they’ll do their best to help you out. While the box office staff is working from home there will not be anyone on site to answer the phone. Leave a message and they will endeavour to return your call within 24 hours. More info here. See financial accessibility information here.

COVID-19 policy: Info here.

Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.