D-Day play through the eyes of a veteran

Timing couldn’t be better for the upcoming performance of Jake’s Gift, a short play by Vancouver’s Julia Mackey.

It’s about an 80-year-old Canadian Second World War veteran who returns to Normandy, France for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

It’s coming to Martin Exeter Hall on Nov. 22, courtesy of the 100 Mile and District Arts Council, which just recently brought comedian Lorne Elliot to the same stage.

The play is written and performed by Mackey, who attended the 60th anniversary of D-Day and over the course of several days, interviewed Canadian, British and American veterans. Their stories, paired with Mackey’s interest in the Second World War, inspired the play’s development.

During the 60-minute play, Mackey’s elderly character revisits the beach in Normandy where he landed 60 years previous. He meets Isabelle, a local 10-year-old girl who encourages him to deal with some long-ignored issues, including the war-time death of his older brother.

Jake’s Gift is a one-person show where Mackey brilliantly plays three different characters. Her performance garnered Best Female Performer 2007 and 2008 at the Victoria Fringe Festival.

The play also won Best New Play, Best Solo Show and Best Drama at the festival, and was awarded Best of Fest at the 2008 Edmonton Fringe Festival.

Anne Swann, Arts Council media liaison, says the play comes highly recommended. It got rave reviews from another council member who saw it a couple of years ago, Swann adds, and this was the earliest booking date the council could get.

“It’s received five-star reviews.”

Jake’s Gift takes place on Nov. 22 at 2 p.m. at Martin Exeter Hall, and Swann says the afternoon time slot is meant to especially accommodate war veterans and the elderly.

Tickets are $10 each and available at Didi’s and Donex.

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