Jake's Gift

The moving story of a WW2 veteran's reluctant return to Juno Beach.

Written and performed by Julia Mackey Directed by Dirk Van Stralen

Jake’s Gift is a surprisingly funny multi-award winning drama that tells the story of a Canadian World War II veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy, France, to find the grave of the brother who never came home. 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.

Having played 246 Canadian communities, Juno Productions and Jake’s Gift continue to receive rave reviews from critics and audience members alike, whether in small rural towns or big city centres.