Jake’s Gift is a multi-award winning Canadian play about a World War II veteran’s reluctant return 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. Isabelle’s inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long-ignored ghosts – most notably the war-time death of his eldest brother, Chester, a once promising young musician. At its heart, Jake’s Gift is about the legacy of remembrance and makes personal the story behind one soldier’s grave.
Since 2007, Jake’s Gift has gone on to play at festivals and theatres in over 250 communities across Canada, including International stops to Washington State, the UK and Normandy, France, for the 70th & 73rd Anniversary of D-Day. In June 2019, the company returned to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. They presented performances in both French and English at the Juno Beach Centre, and other communities and venues along the Normandy coast.
Run time: 65 minutes (no intermission)
Casting:
Has historically been performed by a single performer portraying all characters.
Isabelle (10 year old French girl from Normandy)
Jake (80 year old Canadian WW2 veteran)
Grand-Isabelle (70 years old - Isabelle’s Grandmother)
Susan (30s - Teacher from Ontario)
“If I could give this play six stars, I would.” — Saskatoon Star Phoenix
“This is a jewel of a show you simply can’t afford to miss.” — Calgary Sun
“Jake’s Gift is the most theatrically pure show I have ever seen.” — CBC Winnipeg
Read more about the play, including production history, news, and more at jakesgift.com.
Also available in French, please contact orders@playwrightsguild.ca for details.