Toronto moves towards the return of LIVE-IN PERSON THEATRE – featuring live downtown street scenes

C-O-N-T-A-C-T outdoor performances designed for pandemic – physically and emotionally

TORONTO June 9, 2021 – Live, in-person theatre returns to Toronto on June 25, as C-O-N-T-A-C-T – a revolutionary experience that marries mobile technology and drama into an outdoor,  COVID-safeguarded performance – makes its North American debut following huge success last year in Europe.

Tickets will be limited, with only seven tickets per show available to start.  Audience sizes will increase (up to 20) as pandemic restrictions ease.

Entirely outdoors, the audience follows the cast along downtown streets. The performers do not speak – audio is synced with the action and played through a mobile app, enabling the audience to feel like they are reading minds, hearing the actors’ inner thoughts as the story unfolds.

The Downtown Yonge BIA is partnering with the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre to bring the much-lauded production to Toronto.

“This is the start of the recovery,” says Downtown Yonge Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director Mark Garner.  “We know there is pent-up demand for live, in-person entertainment. And we know arts and culture will be critical to bringing downtown back to life.”

Postponed because of the stay-at-home order that has now been lifted, Toronto performances are now scheduled to start June 25, 2021, for a 6-week limited run, with six daily performances Thursday-Sunday, two on Mondays and Tuesdays, and four on Wednesdays.

“As an extra innovation, the Toronto show will be presented in multiple languages – starting with English, French, Italian and Spanish,” Garner says. “Our plan is to add others going forward, recognizing that C-O-N-T-A-C-T appeals to diverse communities.”

Tickets are available at www.contact-the-show.com.  Purchasers choose a specific time slot, and will receive their tickets and the link to download the app with instructions on where to go and what to do. (Tickets will be easy to exchange if necessary, recognizing the evolving situation around pandemic restrictions.) To enhance the experience and support local businesses, take-out meals from participating restaurants may be added to the ticket purchase.

Designed specifically to ensure safety and follow public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, precautions include a maximum number of people at each performance, guided by staff to keep socially-distanced space as they follow the performers along the street. Everyone – including the actors – wears masks.

“Conceived during COVID-19, C-O-N-T-A-C-T both overcomes the physical restrictions of the pandemic and addresses its emotional themes, such as the challenges of isolation and the human need to connect,” says original U.K. producer Katy Lipson.

SOURCE Enterprise Canada