Mar 20 & 27: Julia Mackey, "Jake's Gift"

Back in 2002, Julia Mackey was part of a group of actors who worked through Libby Appel's mask training process and then created a show with the characters they created, which we staged in December 2002 as MERCY WILD. Jake was a marvel, a cranky old bookie with World War Two secrets and a penchant for Frank Sinatra.

Julia couldn't let go of her creation - or he couldn't let go of her - and a trip to Normandy for the D-Day commemorations led her to create a one-person-show for her crusty alter ego. Pacific Theatre presented a staged reading of the piece last fall, and Jules has gone on to perform JAKE'S GIFT at a number of theatres in BC since that time, including Nanaimo's Western Edge Theatre, Antony Holland's Theatre Centre on Gabriola Island, and upcoming performances in the Richmond Gateway's SceneFirst series and a Vancouver Public Library performance on World Theatre Day - as well as a slot in Toronto's 2007 Fringe Festival!

But before I pass along the details on the upcoming lower mainland shows, let me point you to the JAKE'S GIFT website - a skookum little setup by none other than Dirk Van Stralen, another PT regular and Julia's main squeeze (in fact, fiance!).

SceneFirst at the Gateway!
SceneFirst is back for its third season at the Gateway, an exciting four-day series featuring staged readings of four new Canadian scripts, directed and performed by theatre professionals, scripts in hand, without benefit of props, sets, special lighting or costumes. SceneFirst runs March 20-23rd, 2007 at 8pm.

Four scripts by local writers Julia Mackey, Mark Leiren-Young, Joao Canhoto and Elaine Avila were chosen from over 100 submitted by writers across Canada. These plays will now become part of the short list for future production in the Gateway’s MainStage or Studio B Series. Thanks to feedback from last year’s SceneFirst attendees, one script from SceneFirst 2006 is short-listed for Gateway’s 2007-08 Mainstage season.

JAKES GIFT by Julia Mackey
TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2007 8PM
Jake's Gift is the story of a cantankerous WW2 veteran who reluctantly returns to Normandy, France for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. On his journey, Jake meets a precocious local girl named Isabelle whose inquisitive nature challenges him to confront some old ghosts. Jake’s Gift celebrates the importance and the healing power of remembrance.
Tickets are $5 per person at the door or call 604-270-1812.

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Tuesday Mar 27 2007 @ 7PM: World Theatre Day
Vancouver Public Library, Alice Mackay Room Lower Level
Vancouver theatre legend Antony Holland directs presentations of two one-act plays. Written and performed by Julia Mackey, Jakes Gift tells the touching story of a meeting of a Canadian World War II veteran and a young French girl on a beach in Normandy. Brian Friels The Yalta Game, a romantic comedy based on a classic Chekhov story, follows a young couple and their misadventures at a holiday resort.

Contact: Nicola Scudder 604-331-3774