Draw Me Close

After captivating imaginations around the globe, this pioneering work makes its Canadian Premiere.

Draw Me Close blurs the worlds of live performance, virtual reality, and animation to create a vivid memoir about the relationship between a mother and her son charting twenty-five years of love, learning, and loss. Weaving theatrical storytelling with cutting-edge technology, the performance allows the audience member to take the part of the protagonist, Jordan, inside a live, animated world.

For more details about the full experience and safety standards please keep scrolling to the Performance Details and FAQ tabs below.

Single Tickets on sale NOW! Book yours before they're gone!

NNNNN — One of the most moving things I’ve experienced in theatre or film.
- NOW Magazine

Cutting-edge and yet nostalgic theatre-VR hybrid.
- The Globe and Mail

Mind officially blown… unlike any experience I’ve ever had.
- Huffington Post

Deeply affective… powerful.
- TIME

Unlike anything you will have experienced before.
- Evening Standard

Presented By Soulpepper And The National Film Board Of Canada. A National Film Board Of Canada And National Theatre Of Great Britain Original Co-Production. In Association With The National Arts Centre. With The R&D Participation Of SIRT.

Runtime: This is a one-hour individual immersive experience, available in a series of timed admission slots.

Tickets: $45

Accessibility: This is a fully immersive experience. The production is wheelchair and mobility device friendly, however this production is unfortunately not suitable for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. If you would like more info about accessibility please contact the box office at boxoffice@youngcentre.ca.

Age Recommendation: 14+ due to mature themes.

Soulpepper Production Sponsor

SAFETY GUIDELINES

Soulpepper and the Young Centre for the Performing Arts have been awarded the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council. This international symbol is designed to allow travellers to recognize companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene safety measures that ensure patron experiences are safe.

Full Vaccination: In compliance with Mandatory Provincial Requirements, proof of full vaccination (two doses plus 14 days) will be required for attendance by all patrons, artists, and staff involved in Draw Me Close.
Face Masks: Patrons and staff will be required to wear masks at all times. Staff will be equipped with masks to keep patrons safe.
Reduced Contact: As much as possible, interactions between staff and patrons will be contactless. This includes ticket scanning, box office transactions, and health screenings.
Physical Distancing: Patrons are encouraged to maintain a physical distance of two meters especially if they are not from the same household.
Sanitation: Hand sanitizing stations will be available. All high-touch surfaces will be sanitized regularly.
VR Equipment: The Virtual Reality Equipment (VR goggles and neckband headphones) that are necessary to wear for the performance will be fully sanitized between every single patron, prior to and following each performance. The high touch surfaces in the set will be sanitized regularly.

Please do not attend if you have a fever or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of attending, or if you have had close contact with anyone suspected or confirmed of having COVID-19. The City of Toronto's current Public Health regulations must be followed.

Draw Me Close – Virtual Reality Headset Tutorial

DRAW ME CLOSE – PHOTO GALLERY

DRAW ME CLOSE - PRODUCTION TRAILER

This is an individual immersive experience, involving a Virtual Reality headset.

Each ticket is for an individual experience offered in timed admission slots. For assistance in booking consecutive admission slots, please contact the Box Office.
Due to the nature of the individual experience the performances are on a strict schedule. Your entry into the theatre is a TIMED ADMISSION. Please arrive at the time of your performance. ie. If you booked the performance at 1:35PM please be out front the Young Centre ready to enter at 1:35PM. There is no need to arrive earlier to your time, but latecomers cannot be admitted.
The performance experience is approximately one hour long, in two parts, and involves interacting with a real physical environment and a real actor.
The experience is wheelchair friendly, and some elements of the performance can be adjusted to address accessibility needs. For mobility and access information, please contact the Box Office to discuss how we can tailor the performance.
This performance is not suitable for people with epilepsy, vertigo, or who are claustrophobic. As well, it is not suitable to cochlear implant users.
This performance includes themes which some people may find disturbing, including themes of domestic abuse, and family illness, and death.
Personal items, bags, shoes, coats, etc. must be removed for the experience and will be looked after by a member of the Front of House staff.

Please see the FAQ tab for more info about the experience.

Can my guest watch me?
Unfortunately, no. Only patrons with a valid ticket can attend the performance and witness experiences. Access caregivers/companions are welcome to be in the space with audience members.

I wear glasses, is that a problem?
No, the virtual reality headset is designed to fit over glasses.

What should I wear?
We suggest wearing comfortable clothing that allows movement. We recommend wearing your hair down, if possible, as the VR goggles are a snug fit on the head and face and wearing your hair in an updo with prominent bulk may interfere with the fit. Patrons with hijabs, turbans, or other headwear will not be expected to remove them. Similarly, we do still recommend, if possible, the styling to be sleek and without prominent bulk. You will also be asked to remove you footwear before entering the performance space.

All patrons will be required to wear a face mask in the Young Centre and during the VR experience.

How long is the entire experience?
The entire experience will be around one hour.

Is there a wait list?
Unfortunately we are unable to keep a wait list at this time. For the latest availability please check out the website or call the box office.

What is the age recommendation?
Due to the mature subject matter of the performance, this production is recommended for audiences 14+.

Is the performance accessible? What sort of mobility is required?
The performance experience requires patrons to interact with their environment, including: walking, sitting, lying down, and arm mobility. The experience is wheelchair friendly, and some elements of the performance can be adjusted to address accessibility needs. If you have concerns, please contact the Box Office.

The neckband headphones are friendly for certain hearing aid users, however they are not suitable to cochlear implant users. Unfortunately at this time, captioning or ASL Interpretation is not available.

What will happen to me while I have the VR goggles on?
The experience is completely self-directed. The elements of the show that you interact with can be seen in the illustrations presented to you through the VR googles, so nothing should come as a surprise to you during the show. There is no direct human touching, however, at one point in the show the actor will gently place a blanket on top of you. There will also be silent Technician following you throughout the performance to manage the cables from the VR goggles, and they may gently interact with you in the space, only if necessary. ie. To place the neckband headphones back on your neck if they came off.

How are you cleaning everything? Will the experience feel safe?
For the safety of everyone involved in Draw Me Close, proof of full vaccination (two doses plus 14 days) will be required by patrons attending the show, as well as from all artists, crew, staff, and volunteers involved. Face masks are required while in the Young Centre, and during the VR experience. The Virtual Reality Equipment (VR goggles and neckband headphones) that are necessary for the performance will be fully sanitized between every single patron, prior to and following each performance. The high touch surfaces in the set will be sanitized regularly.