Written and performed by Julia Mackey
Directed by Dirk Van Stralen
The moving story of a WW2 veteran’s reluctant return to Juno Beach
Running Time:
Approximately 65 minutes with no intermission
Suggested Audience:
Age 10 and up
October 29, 2023
7:00pm
Admission: FREE
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.
Jake's Gift Awards
AUGUST 2018 | SASKATOON & AREA THEATRE AWARDS
NOMINATION – OUTSTANDING LEADING PERFORMANCE
OCTOBER 2016 | CAPITAL CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD
NOMINATION – BEST ACTRESS (Professional Theatre Category)
JUNE 2015 | CALGARY CRITICS AWARDS
NOMINATION – OUTSTANDING REVIVAL
AUGUST 2012 | BETTY MITCHELL AWARDS (CALGARY)
RECIPIENT – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
NOMINATION – OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
AUGUST 2012 | CALGARY CRITICS AWARDS
NOMINATION – OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE
NOVEMBER 2011 | CAPACOA
RECIPIENT – 2010 – 2011 TOURING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
JUNE 2011 | DORA MAVOR MOORE NOMINATION (TORONTO)
NOMINATION – OUTSTANDING TOURING PRODUCTION
APRIL 2011 | BRITISH COLUMBIA TOURING COUNCIL
RECIPIENT – 2011 TOURING ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
SEPTEMBER 2010 | CONTACT EAST
RECIPIENT – 2010 TOURING PERFORMERS AWARD
SEPTEMBER 2009 | LEGION MEDIA AWARD
“Your creation of ‘Jake’s Gift’ is certainly a brilliant theatre production, emoting a true sense of understanding about sacrifice, valour and memories.”
JUNE 2009 | JESSIE RICHARDSON THEATRE AWARDS (VANCOUVER)
NOMINATION | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role
JULY 2009 | WINNIPEG INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
RECIPIENT – BEST OF FEST
AUGUST 2008 | VICTORIA FRINGE FESTIVAL
BEST DRAMA • BEST FEMALE PERFORMER • BEST SOLO SHOW
AUGUST 2008 | EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL FRINGE FESTIVAL
BEST OF FEST
AUGUST 2007 | VICTORIA FRINGE FESTIVAL
BEST NEW PLAY • BEST DRAMA • BEST SOLO SHOW • BEST FEMALE PERFORMER