If you’re going to see one play this Remembrance Day weekend, the clear choice is Jake’s Gift. Presented by Lunchbox Theatre, the one-woman show, created and performed by Julia Mackey, tells the story of an aging veteran’s return to Normandy on the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion to visit the grave of his brother.
Having long been interested in military history, Mackey says she was workshopping material related to the idea of brothers going to war as far back as 2002. When she heard about the commemorative events surrounding the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy in 2004, she recognized an invaluable opportunity for research. She called Veterans Affairs and arranged for access, then spent a week there interviewing former soldiers, visiting cemeteries and attending memorials. Those experiences would become the inspiration for Jake’s Gift.
She remains in touch with a dozen or so of her interview subjects, who range from 87 to 97 years old. “The guys I’ve met are so appreciative when people do acknowledge the sacrifices they made and what they went through,” she says. “But at the same time, they’re such a modest generation. Nobody’s willing to take credit for anything.”
Jake’s Gift, until Saturday, Nov. 19
Perfect Partnership Jake’s Gift director Dirk Van Stralen is Mackey’s partner offstage as well. “We met working on a play so we had that history,” she says. “There are days where you think: ‘wow, I’ve seen you all day, every day, for the last couple years,’ and you go a little crazy, but mostly we get along well in both capacities and we manage to find a good balance.”
Watch It/Read Up Given the subject matter of Jake’s Gift, it’s no surprise that Mackey is a huge fan of Band of Brothers, the 2001 miniseries that followed the Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division across Europe during WWII. She’s also a big fan of Barry Broadfoot’s book Six War Years, 1939-1945: Memories of Canadians at Home and Abroad.
Supporting Our Troops Veterans and current military personnel can see Jake’s Gift for free. Complimentary tickets can be arranged through the box office. Lunchbox is also collecting donations for the Veteran’s Food Bank at all Jake’s Gift performances.
They Don’t Call It Lunchbox for Nothing It’s totally expected that Lunchbox patrons will be eating lunch during noon-hour shows. If you’re not an avid brown bagger, packed lunches can be purchased through the box office 24 hours in advance of the show.
Until Saturday, Nov. 19. Monday to Saturday, 12:10 p.m. Additional shows Friday, 6:10 p.m, and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. At Lunchbox Theatre, 115 9th Ave. S.E. $17 – $20. 403-265-4292, lunchboxtheatre.com.
