Local Performance REVIEW: “Meeting” at Pacific Theatre - Gritty, Uncomfortable, and Deeply Necessary

An ITSAZOO Production In Association with Pacific Theatre, with support from Neworld Theatre. 'Meeting' is a gritty, uncomfortable, and deeply necessary performance.

Content warning: This production contained explicit discussions about sex, sexual behaviour, childhood sexual abuse and trauma, and pedophilia. It is recommended for ages 19+. Please skip this review if any of these topics are triggering to you.

Running now until June 7th at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver, Meeting is not your typical night at the theatre - and that’s precisely the point. Outlet Vancouver was invited to opening night of this bold, emotionally charged production, and we’re here to tell you why this experience might be worth your time, even if (or especially if) it makes you uncomfortable.

The Story

The premise is simple but loaded: five individuals gather in a support group for co-dependents and sex and love addicts. Over the course of a single session, each person shares personal stories of trauma, survival, shame, and longing. The performance unfolds in Act 1, and we quickly realize that this group of strangers carries not only deep pain but wildly different perspectives on healing and accountability. When one member reveals a disturbing truth, the group is forced to wrestle with the limits of tolerance and the complexity of community care.

Unique Set Experience

Set in a small, rustic activity room inside the Pacific Theatre building (rather than the actual theatre), the setting itself offers a hint of what’s to come. This environment demands instant immersion. The seating is unassigned and mainly on the same level just feet or inches away from the actors. The result? An intensely realistic experience that felt less like watching a play and more like being in a group meeting ourselves.

The Message

The subject matter is VERY heavy. When you walk into the building, the staff made it a point to tell each and every audience member to grab a complimentary program and to ensure they have read the content advisory as follows:

Content Advisory

Strongest possible language warning. This production contains explicit discussions about sex, sexual behaviour, childhood sexual abuse and trauma, and pedophilia. It is recommended for ages 19+. Please contact info@pacifictheatre.org for more detailed content guidance.

So, please know this performance is not for the faint of heart and may be highly triggering for some. But these are the very conversations that often go unspoken, and Meeting handles them with brutal honesty and surprising compassion.

The Acting

The performances by all 5 actors was incredibly moving and raw. The dialogue seemed intentionally natural and often crass with no theatrical polish, which only heightened the realism. We saw audience members visibly reacting, shifting in their seats, and some even tear up. While the show made the most sense being held in such a small space with a small audience - the skill of each actor was undeniably deserving of a large stage and theatre. True talent.

The experience

What makes Meeting particularly unique is its two-part structure. After the 90-minute performance, there's a 15-minute intermission, followed by Act 2, which is an interactive segment titled the 'Talk Forward'. We as the audience welcome a guest speaker into the room to facilitate an open dialogue with all of us. This discussion felt like an extension of the play itself.

This post-show discussion added a whole new dimension to the experience. It wasn’t just about what happened in the performance, it was about what it stirred up in the room. There was no pressure to speak, but many chose to. It was a space filled with vulnerability and reflection. Something rare and deeply moving in a public setting.

To be clear, this is not an easy show to sit through. It’s heavy. It’s triggering. It’s uncomfortable. But it’s also necessary. In a world where we often sanitize or avoid the harder aspects of human experience, Meeting goes directly into the fire. It doesn’t offer answers or wrap things up neatly, but it asks bold questions about empathy, responsibility, the line of tolerance, and whether true healing can happen in community.

For those willing to step into that fire, Meeting offers something rare and is sure to be a night you will remember.

For more information and to get your tickets, click HERE.

Will you be checking out Meeting at Pacific Theatre? Join the conversation on social media @OutletVancouver!