Jake’s Gift will be returning for late October at the Esplanade

On Sunday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre will see the return of the multi-award winning play, Jake’s Gift. This one night only performance is being made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Inter-Act Theatre Society.

Jake’s Gift is a moving and heartfelt tribute to our Veterans. It is a one act, multiaward winning play that tells the story of a Canadian WW2 veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy, France, to find the grave of the brother who never came home. While roaming the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious ten year old from the local village. Her 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.

The production was created by BC based theatre artists Julia Mackey (Playwright & Performer) and Dirk Van Stralen (Director and Stage Manager). Julia was inspired to write the play following her own journey to Normandy for the 60th Anniversary of DDay in June 2004.

Since 2007, this surprisingly funny drama has been receiving rave reviews and capturing the hearts of Canadians right across the country. To date, Juno Productions has toured Jake’s Gift to over 250 communities across Canada including international stops in the US, the UK and Normandy for the 70th, 73rd & 75th Anniversary of D-Day. SPECIAL PRESENTATION TO LEGIONS: Since the Fall of 2011, Juno Productions has been presenting Legions across Canada with a poignant print entitled, Fallen Hero. The presentation is made immediately following the performance by Julia Mackey, and it is a gift to the local Legion(s) from the Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation. The goal of the Foundation is to create a memorial plaque for every Canadian serviceman/woman killed in the line of duty from the Boer War to Afghanistan. To date, hundred of Legions across Canada have received this moving print.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY: Since 2010, Juno Productions has raised money for the local Legion of the communities they perform in. Following the performance, Jake’s Gift button packages will be sold for $5.00 per package. 100% of the profits raised will be donated to the Medicine Hat Legion. To date, Juno Productions have raised and donated over $50,000 to Legions across Canada.

Here are the details for the October 29th performance at Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.

Venue: Esplanade Main Stage, E.A.H.C, 401 1st Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 8W2 Date: Sunday, October 29, 2023 • Show Time: 7PM• Running Time: 65 minutes, no intermissionAge Recommendation: Age 10 + Tickets: This performance is FREE but Tickets are required. You can reserve your tickets online at www.esplanade.ca or tixx.ca or by calling the Box Office at 403.502.8580