Jake’s Gift is the moving story of a WW2 veteran’s reluctant return to Juno Beach, written and performed by Julia Mackey, directed by Dirk Van Stralen.A Canadian WW2 veteran reluctantly returns to Normandy, France, for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings. While revisiting the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious 10-year-old from the local village whose inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts – most notably, the wartime death of his eldest brother, Chester, a once promising young musician. At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and personalizes the story behind one soldier’s grave.

‍In June 2004, Julia Mackey traveled to Normandy, France, for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. It was one of the most moving and powerful experiences of her life. During that week long journey, Julia interviewed dozens of Canadian, British and American WW2 veterans who had returned for the ceremonies. For many, it was their first time back to France since the war. The stories they shared with Julia and her own life-long interest in Remembrance Day inspired the development of the play. In August 2006, the first draft of Jake’s Gift received a workshop performance at the Sunset Theatre’s Exploration Series in Wells, BC.‍

‍Jake's Gift will be presented on the Esplanade Main Stage, Sunday October 29, 2023 at 7:00PM.

This event is FREE, but tickets are required.