Venue: Vancouver Playhouse

Vancouver Civic Theatres Presents What You Won't Do For Love 

A Why Not Theatre Production 

Written by Tara Cullis, Miriam Fernandes*, Ravi Jain, and David Suzuki
Directed by Ravi Jain

Run Time: 90 minutes + optional 25 minute Q&A with David, Tara, Miriam, and Sturla

Experience a special, live evening with award-winning and renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis in What You Won’t Do For Love, a unique and intimate theatre experience that asks whether the love we have for each other can inspire us to take action for the planet. Actors and real-life couple Miriam Fernandes and Sturla Alvsvaag navigate a poetic and playful dialogue on stage with David and Tara. Through honest reflection and lively conversation, this iconic couple shares powerful insights and captivating stories garnered over a lifetime of environmental activism and the deep bond of their 50-year partnership.

Directed by Why Not Theatre Founder and Co-Artistic Director Ravi Jain (Mahabharata, Prince Hamlet, Sea Sick) with dramaturgy by Broadleaf Creative Artistic Director Kevin Matthew Wong (The Chemical Valley Project), What You Won’t Do For Love asks us to consider love’s capacity to inspire action and propel us all towards a healthier, sustainable planet.

After the performance, the audience is invited to stay and explore these questions further during an informal Q&A with David, Tara, Miriam, and Sturla. 

Reviews

"A deeply personal, totally enchanting love story. David and Tara take us on a magical journey into the heart of commitment - to one another, to family, to community, to justice and to the planet. A testament to hope.”

- Maude Barlow (author and activist, founding member of the Council of Canadians, co-founder of the Blue Planet Project)

"Warm, wise and overflowing with generosity, this is a love story so epic it embraces all of creation. Yet another reminder of how blessed we are to be in the struggle with elders like David and Tara.”

- Naomi Klein (author, journalist, social activist, and filmmaker) and Avi Lewis (filmmaker, climate activist, educator)

What You Won't Do For Love in the Media

READ MORE in the Georgia Straight, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, and more! 

Produced By

About 

Founded in 2007, Why Not Theatre is a Toronto-based theatre company with an international scope. Why Not has established a reputation for inventive and cross-cultural collaborations. For 15 years, Why Not has developed 55 new works with 81 tour stops to 40 cities and 11 countries, including the world-wide hit A Brimful of Asha, performed more than 300 times around the world, and the critically acclaimed Mahabharata. They have an international reputation for creating innovative, cutting-edge theatre, and creating opportunities for artists to be seen across Canada and around the world. Led by Co-Artistic Directors Miriam Fernandes and Ravi Jain and Executive Director Karen Tisch. The play text of What You Won't Do For Love is published by Coach House Books.

Hotel Sponsor

Exclusive VCT Show Your Ticket Rate at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver: LEARN MORE

VCT patrons staying at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver the night of their show can now enjoy a special discount off the standard room rate!

Media Sponsor

Why Not Theatre Partners

Creative Team

Written by Tara Cullis, Miriam Fernandes*, Ravi Jain, David Suzuki with contributions from Sturla Alvsvaag
Director Ravi Jain
Associate Directors Miriam Fernandes, Kevin Matthew Wong
Performed by Tara Cullis, Miriam Fernandes*, Sturla Alvsvaag, David Suzuki
Production Manager Crystal Lee
Stage Manager Jenny Kim*
Sound Design Meg Roe
Projection Design Jamie Nesbitt
Lighting Design André du Toit
Produced by Kevin Matthew Wong
Dramaturgy Broadleaf Creative 
Paper Props Designer Reena Mistry
Paper Props Designer Benjamin Edward
Why Not Theatre Executive Director Karen Tisch 

Learn more about the Why Not Theatre Team

Originally co-presented and produced with support from TO Live and Soulpepper