Photo by Tim Matheson
Julia Mackey in a scene from "Jake's Gift."
“Jake’s Gift” is really a gift to veterans the world over or, as playwright and performer Julia Mackey calls it, “love letter of thanks to our veterans.”
The show, at the Esplanade on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m., came from her trip to Normandy, France for the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2004. In an email, Mackey writes that he trip was one of the most moving experiences of her life. She interviewed dozens of Second World War veterans there for the ceremony which, along with her own interest in Remembrance Day, spurred the creation of “Jake’s Gift.”
It tells the story of a Canadian Second World War veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy to find the grave of the brother who never came home. A chance meeting with a local 10-year-old forces Jake to confront old ghosts.
At its heart, reads a news release, “Jake’s Gift” is about the legacy of remembrance and makes personal the story behind one soldier’s grave.
Since 2006, she and Dirk Van Stralen, her partner, director and stage manager, have toured the show to more than 250 communities across Canada.
They’ve also taken the show to Normandy a few times, including this past June for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
At each show “Jake’s Gift” button packages are sold for $5 and 100% of the proceeds are donated to Poppy Trust Funds and Legions across Canada.
“Jake’s Gift” is recommended for those aged 10 years old and up. The performance is 65 minutes with no intermission.
This presentation is the latest one in the Esplanade’s Pay-What-You Will Series. The Esplanade’s website reminds patrons “Tickets are required. By accepting tickets for this show, you are are committing to ensuring that they are used. Unused tickets may result in ineligibility for future Pay-What-You-Will shows.”
