Director

Inspired by the poetry of writer Wisława Szymborska, This is why we live explores poems as doorways to our psyche and looks at humanity's failings with delightful precision. Drawing from surrealism and movement based theatre, including puppetry and dance; two actors take us on a journey through a witty, ironic and absorbing testament to human expression.

We experiment with language, gesture and sound.
A unique exchange between Poland, Canada, France and England.

Directed by Coleen MacPherson
Performed by Elodie Monteau and Alaine Hutton and Dobrochna Zubek
Music performed by Dobrochna Zubek
Music Development and Dramaturgy by Tatiana Judycka
Lighting by Rebecca Picherak
Set and Costume Design by Helen Yung
Produced by Rose Hopkins

Performance Dates:
Plateau 31 in Paris, France
April 1, 2, 3 2016

The Theatre Centre, Toronto
1115 Queen Street West, Toronto ON
October 6-9th 2016

Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, Hamilton
126 James St S, Hamilton, ON
October 15th, 2016

European Tour TBA

This Is Why We Live, Alaine Hutton & Elodie Monteau, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Alaine Hutton & Elodie Monteau, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

 
This Is Why We Live, Elodie Monteau, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Elodie Monteau, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Alaine Hutton, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Alaine Hutton, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Dobrochna Zubek, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Dobrochna Zubek, The Theatre Centre, Toronto 2016

This Is Why We Live, Tatiana Judycka & Alaine Hutton, Paris, France Plateau 31

This Is Why We Live, Tatiana Judycka & Alaine Hutton, 

Paris, France Plateau 31


We are supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, The Polish Consulate in Toronto, The Polish Cultural Institute (London, UK), The Polish Cultural Institute (Paris, France).

This is a co-production between Open Heart Surgery, Tara Arts (UK) and Théâtre de L'Enfumeraie (Le Mans, France)