The official website of the Canadian playwright David French, author of many award-winning plays including Leaving Home, Of The Fields Lately, Salt-Water Moon, and Jitters.
This weekend I learned of the death of David’s longtime agent, Charlie Northcote of Core Literary, Inc. Charlie and David had been friends since the 70s, and Charlie had represented David’s work since the mid-90s. Charlie was unfailingly kind, able to find the bright side in almost any situation, and a tireless cheerleader for his clients. He was a good friend to Mary and me throughout the years, and we are both saddened by his passing. Charlie initiated and negotiated the Finborough Theatre production of Salt-Water Moon that closed at the end of January, so he and I had been talking fairly frequently lately…it’s a bit hard for me to realize that he is gone. Here is the Stratford Beacon-Herald obituary for Charlie. My love and sympathy to his family and many friends.
Charlie in conversation with Judi Pearl and Peter Hinton at the National Arts Centre opening of Salt-Water Moon, 2011.
In January, Salt-Water Moon will open at the award-winning Finborough Theatre in London, England, a co-production between Finborough and Cumulus Productions. Peter Kavanagh directs Bryony Miller as Mary, and Joseph Potter as Jacob.
Peter Kavanagh is renowned for his work across a variety of media: theatre, film, television, and radio. His recent work includes productions of Cyanide at 5 by Czech playwright Pavel Kohout, and the 40th anniversary production of Not Quite Jerusalem by Paul Kember.
Director Peter Kavanagh
Bryony Miller is a theatre and film actor whose recent credits include Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and the Netflix adaptation of Rebecca. Joseph Potter is a film and theatre actor who recently starred in Philip Ridley’s The Poltergeist onstage. Potter plays “Roy” in the hit film My Policeman.
Actors Bryony Miller and Joseph Potter
The show runs from January 3–28, 2023. Get your tickets now, as they’re sure to go quickly!
From January 3–28, Salt-Water Moon will be playing at the lovely Finborough Theatre in London, England. The theatre is an intimate 45-seat venue on Finborough Road. More information can be found on the Finborough Theatre website.
NOW Magazine’s Glenn Sumi published a list of the ten best theatre experiences of the decade this weekend — and Ravi Jain’s Factory Theatre production of Salt-Water Moon is #1 on the list! Here’s what Glenn had to say about the show:
“How fitting that the decade’s most memorable show was Ravi Jain’s luminous reimagining of a Canadian classic. Through minimal but atmospheric staging, the addition of musician/accompanist Ania Soul to read stage directions and the casting of two superb non-white actors (Kawa Ada and Mayko Nguyen), Jain turned David French’s gentle drama about the early romance between Jacob Mercer and Mary Snow into something transcendent, timeless and heart-achingly beautiful.”
Mary goes to the Etobicoke School of the Arts, where one of the Grade 12 drama one-act plays this year is Salt-Water Moon. We saw the show this afternoon, and it is so beautiful! I’m very happy we were able to attend.
Director Katie Hillyard-Beale said in her pre-show speech that she’d seen Ravi Jain’s production of the play at Mirvish, and had, from that moment onward, been determined to direct it for her final school project. She called Emma D’Agrosa and Max Grosskopf her “dream cast,” and after seeing the show, I know why.
The production is thoughtful, moving, and full of life. The two well-matched performers fully inhabited Mary Snow and Jacob Mercer, whose shared past and economic circumstances are standing in the way of their love for one another. The direction hit all the right notes: as the two spar, flirt, and finally open their hearts to one another, we see the pain, love, (and sense of humour) that they share.
Congratulations to Katie, Emma, Max, and crew, as well as the Grade 12 Drama teachers!
I’m happy to report that Lionel Walsh of the University of Windsor will be directing an Inspired Acting Lab production of Salt-Water Moon this summer. David got to know Lionel when he was the Playwright-in-Residence at UW, and the two of them had a great year together. Lionel and company have done many David French plays throughout the years, and Mary and I feel a real connection to the UW program and its students.
Salt-Water Moon, presented by the Northern Bruce Theatre Company, will open in Windsor and then tour to Lion’s Head and Kirkland Lake. It stars James Kern as Jacob and Sofie Jarvis as Mary. If you can see it, please do! I know that it will be a special show.
Performance Dates + Locations:
WINDSOR : July 11, 12, 13 @ 7:30 p.m. Studio Theatre, Jackman Dramatic Art Centre, University of Windsor
LION’S HEAD : July 18-20 @ 7:30 p.m. and 21 @ 2 p.m. and 25-27 @ 7:30 p.m. Rotary Hall, 59 Main St., Lion’s Head, ON. (Cash Bar)
KIRKLAND LAKE : July 31 – August 3 @ 7:30 p.m LaSalle Theatre, 100 Government Rd W, Kirkland Lake, ON
A new production of Solder’s Heart is running this week at the Eastlink Centre in Clarenville, presented by the New Curtain Theatre. Break legs tomorrow at opening, everyone!
In October, the lovely Salt-Water Moon that Factory produced last season will have a short run at the Panasonic, one of the Mirvish theatres. Directed by Ravi Jain, the show stars the wonderful Mayko Nguyen and Kawa Ada. This production has been called a “reimagining,” as Ravi has stripped the play down to its essence: no set, no costumes, no Newfoundland accents. It’s a Salt-Water Moon like no other, and it found a whole new audience at Factory.
It’s exciting to have the production moving to the Panasonic, into one of Toronto’s commercial theatres. I can’t wait to see the show again!
Mary and I arrived in beautiful PEI last week and were delighted to discover that the King’s Playhouse in Georgetown is presenting Salt-Water Moon on Sunday evenings throughout the summer. We’re looking forward to seeing it! Here’s their charming graphic, and a link to their website.
I was lucky enough to be at the 2016 Dora Mavor Moore awards, thanks to my friend Byron Bellows, who is a trustee of the Bluma Appel Community Trust. It was a lovely night, with the ceremony happening at the outdoor theatre at Harbourfront. Great fun to see so many familiar faces and so much style!
I was especially pleased to be present as Ravi Jain won the Best Director Award for his production of Salt-Water Moon at Factory. Congratulations to Ravi and to the whole creative team of the show!
