Pacific Theatre Presents JAKE'S GIFT, 4/6-4/16

When a crusty, down-on-his-luck WW2 veteran reluctantly makes the trip to Juno Beach to honour his brother Chester, his encounter with Isabelle, a precocious ten-year-old challenges the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts. Written and performed by award-winner Julia Mackey, Jake's Gift is a powerful and surprisingly funny one-woman show that brings concepts of war and remembrance to a deeply personal level. Mackey says, "Jake's Gift is a love letter to all veterans and this is my way of saying thank you to a generation of men and women who sacrificed much for the greater good."

As director Dirk Van Stralen says, "Sometimes the best way to get a look at the Big Picture is to not do so at all. If Jake's Gift succeeds, it is because of Julia's ability to take a lofty concept - the importance of remembrance - and make it utterly personal."

Born in a mask workshop at Pacific Theatre in 2002, Jake's uneasy friendship with young Isabelle became the backbone of Mercy Wild, a collective creation that performed at Pacific Theatre in that year. However, it was obvious Jake's story wouldn't end there, "Julia possesses an innate sense of story," shares Artistic Director Ron Reed, "So it seemed inevitable when Julia decided to make Jake his own show." Since then Jake's Gift has been playing to standing ovations all across Canada - and now he's coming home!

Jake's Gift is written and performed by Julia Mackey. Directed and stage managed by Dirk Van Stralen. Lighting designed by Gerald King.

RAVE REVIEWS
"The most theatrically pure show I have ever seen. A stunning performance." -CBC
"'I never did nothin' special' grunst Jake during an overdue visit to his brother's grave. Mackey's gift of remembrance is a powerful rebuttal. Don't miss it." -Winnipeg Free Press
Details:

JAKE'S GIFT written and performed by Julia Mackey

When:

April 6-16, Wednesdays-Saturdays at 8pm, 2pm matinees Saturdays

Where:

Pacific Theatre, 1420 West 12th Ave (at Hemlock St), Vancouver, BC

Tickets:

$16.50-29.50 (HST not incl.) - to reserve call 604.731.5518, or visit pacifictheatre.org.

 

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