VancouverGREATER VANCOUVER EVENT
Secret Ingredients
Keely Rois O’Brien presents a theatrical cake tasting at Gateway Theatre, using a public-submitted real-life story to explore the nuances, joy and heartache of human relationships.
- Date and time
- Location
- Gateway Theatre — Studio B · 6500 Gilbert Rd · Richmond · V7C 3V4
- Organizer
- Gateway Theatre
About this event
Richmond artist Keely Rois O’Brien created Secret Ingredients, a theatrical cake tasting at Gateway Theatre that explores the quirks, nuances, joy and heartache of human relationships. Before the show, the public shared real-life circumstances through an online form; O’Brien will turn one submission into a cake incorporated into the performance.
Performances are at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 14; Thursday, October 15; and Friday, October 16, and at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026. General admission is $35.
The October 16 performance starts at 7:30 p.m. in Studio B, 6500 Gilbert Road, Richmond, V7C 3V4. The show lasts approximately 70 minutes, with no intermission. All October 14–17 performances are sold out; join the organizer’s waitlist. Recommended for ages 13 and over; the show mentions a parent’s life-threatening illness and psychiatric hospitalization.
Cake tasting is optional. Cakes are vegan but may contain nuts or gluten and traces of dairy or eggs. To-go containers are available for guests who wish to remain masked, and a pre-show audio note supports blind and partially sighted guests. Student and approved arts-worker rush tickets are $25, available on the day by phone or at the door with the required proof. Access2 and Richmond Access Card holders can receive a free companion ticket when purchasing admission. Details and waitlist: https://www.gatewaytheatre.com/events/secret-ingredients/. Each intimate performance has 50 seats. Submissions are messages that are difficult to express directly; flavours are paired with feelings, such as dark chocolate for embarrassment, citrus zest for annoyance and tart cherry jam for grief. The cake project accepts more requests than can be baked, so submitting does not guarantee a cake. Deliveries for this presentation are limited to Richmond addresses. Groups of 10 or more can ask about savings at boxoffice@gatewaytheatre.com or 604-270-1812. Student rush is for secondary and post-secondary students with valid institutional ID; arts-worker rush requires acceptance into the theatre’s programme and proof of eligibility.