Why Not Theatre Presents Reality Theatre, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER

"What does it mean to be a good person? Do you think we value the same things in life? Was I well behaved as a child? What about me do you not understand? Do you need to be tough to survive?"

Performative reality theatre that erases the line between public and personal, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER was initially conceived as an inter-generational, multi-faith exploration of the relationship between mothers and daughters. At each performance, four different pairs of real life mothers and daughters (no professional actors) engage in a 'game' of answering questions randomly chosen by the host from a big stack of cards on stage. Unscripted and unfiltered, the women's responses are honest and unexpected and each performance is as fascinating as fictional drama.

A collaboration of Toronto's inventive Why Not Theatre and UK-based international touring theatre company Complicite Creative Learning, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER received its world premiere in Montreal at OFFTA (2014), was presented at the Battersea Arts Centre in London, UK (2015), and has numerous global productions with local mothers and daughters in the works.

The Toronto premiere focuses on generational and cultural differences between mothers and daughters, from Syria, Turkey, Bangladesh, Canada, South Africa, Poland, and Venezuela, who come together to create and perform a show using their own lives and stories.

Following each live performance, the whole audience is invited to continue the conversation with the mothers, daughters and creative team over a meal prepared in a partnership with Newcomer Kitchen, a project with newly-arrived Syrian refugee women who prepare meals in a communal kitchen for sale online or by delivery.

An unintended spin-off from Why Not Theatre's box office and critical hit, A Brimful of Asha which stars Ravi Jain and his mother Asha Jain (and is currently being remounted by Soulpepper), LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER, and Why Not Theatre, challenges and undermines traditional conventions and existing models of theatre creation to tell unique stories that are universal.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
Presented by Koffler Centre of the Arts
Co-Created by Why Not Theatre and Complicite (UK)
Co-Directed by Ravi Jain (Toronto) and Rose Plotek (Montreal)
Wednesday, October 26 - Sunday, October 30, 2016
918 Bathurst Street, Toronto
Wednesday - Saturday @ 8pm, Saturday and Sunday @ 2pm
•• Each performance features a different group of mothers and daughters
and is followed by a community meal with the audience ••
All Regular Tickets $20 • Youth/Student/Senior/Arts Worker/Group10+ $15
prices do not include applicable service charges
To purchase tickets visit: https://www.universe.com/events/like-mother-like-daughter
To learn more visit: http://www.theatrewhynot.org/project/like-mother-like-daughter/

The Koffler Centre of the Arts is a Jewish cultural organization that presents a
cross-disciplinary, contemporary arts program encouraging inquiry and inter-cultural dialogue, and engaging diverse perspectives and global voices. Located at Artscape Youngplace, the Koffler Centre of the Arts acknowledges the support of the Koffler Family Foundation, Cultural Season Sponsor CIBC Wood Gundy, the Ontario Arts Council through the Community and Multidisciplinary Arts Organizations Program, our patrons and donors.

Founded in 2007, Why Not Theatre is a Toronto-based theatre company with an international scope. Under Artistic Director Ravi Jain, Why Not has established a reputation as a company synonymous with inventive, experimental, cross-cultural collaborations resulting in shows featuring new Canadian writing, company-devised and site specific shows alongside revitalized interpretations of classics. In recent years, the company has also become known for its presentation of international productions and workshops from diverse cultures and artistic practices, along with support for the development of local emerging artists and companies.

Celebrating Diwali with Soulpepper, current collaborations include a A Brimful of Asha (November 1-12) and Piya Behruphia (October 27-29).

Essential to our creative process are the collisions that arise from our different cultures, languages and experiences provoking us to seek new styles, stories and forms. Our theatre is international in the truest sense of the word: it is created between nations and transcends the borders of race, celebrating all cultures, languages and forms.

Complicite Creative Learning is part of internationally acclaimed theatre company Complicite and produces projects, performances and learning opportunities for people all across the world. Complicite is funded by Arts Council England.