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‘Sleep No More’ follow-up ‘Life and Trust’ abruptly closed last weekend

The immersive show was set inside Conwell Tower, which continues to operate as a coffee hall.

Shaye Weaver
Written by
Shaye Weaver
Editor, Time Out New York
The Lilliths: Douglas J Gillespie (Aleister), Tori Sparks (Megaera), Zachary Eisenstat (Woland), Reshma Gajjar (Hella)
Photograph: Lila Barth for Time Out New York | Douglas J Gillespie (Aleister), Tori Sparks (Megaera), Zachary Eisenstat (Woland), Reshma Gajjar (Hella)
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If you had tickets to see Life and Trust, Emursive’s follow-up to the much-beloved and long-running Sleep No More, you’ll need to get a refund. The show abruptly closed on Saturday, April 19.

In an email blast, the company apologized for the surprising cancelation.

"Dearest guest, we sincerely regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, the theatrical run of Life and Trust officially came to an end last night," reads the blast. "We apologize for the late notice and for the disappointment and inconvenience this has caused, and appreciate your understanding and support. We will begin processing refunds immediately [...]. Thank you in advance for your kindness and patience."

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The Life and Trust Instagram has been scrubbed clean except for one post that thanks the audience members who have come to see the program, also directing folks to ask for a refund by emailing refund@lifeandtrustnyc.com.

No specific details about the reasons behind the sudden closure have yet been disclosed. According to reports, the staff was told about the development an hour before the news was released to the public.

The press team at Life & Trust did not answer Time Out's request for comment. 

According to multiple TikToks, Conwell Coffee Hall, where the show was mounted, is still open but mentions and elements of the show have been removed.

Life and Trust was an original story inspired by various interpretations of the Faust legend—drawing influence from The Red Shoes and The Picture of Dorian Gray. At its center was J.G. Conwell, the CEO of the fictional Life and Trust Bank, who amassed a fortune by selling a mysterious green elixir. As the Wall Street Crash of 1929 loomed, Conwell—now a regretful old man—struck a Faustian bargain to return to his youth during New York City's Gilded Age for one final, drama-filled day. Much like Sleep No More, the audience followed the action wearing commedia dell’arte-style masks, with smartphones strictly off-limits.

Life and Trust
Photograph: Courtesy Jane KratochvilLife and Trust

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