David French

I was happy to see that Cobourg’s excellent Northumberland Players are currently presenting Salt-Water Moon. The show runs from March 17–April 2, 2023, at the Firehall Theatre, 213 Second Street. You can find a great review from Rob Davidson and a sneak peek at the show on the Northumberland Players website!

The production of Salt-Water Moon at the Finborough Theatre in London, England has now closed, but I thought I’d share excerpts from some of the reviews:

“Equal parts romantic and heartbreaking, David French’s play remains as timeless as ever.” —The Independent

“Youthful stars shine in Canadian two-hander.” —London Times

“An absorbing, lyrical love story.” —The Stage

“Salt-Water Moon does feel like a precious jewel, carried across the Atlantic, finally discovered.” —Theatre Weekly

“An interesting piece of theatre that explores – quite pertinently at a time of economic uncertainty – what lengths people are prepared to go to out of financial necessity, and whether the power of love can override pragmatism. Yes, it’s a love story at the theatre, so the answer is pretty obvious in the end, but this intriguing journey is worth it. A thoughtful and charming production.” —London Theatre 1

“Simple and understated, the end result is a beautifully romantic piece of theatre that effortlessly manages to provide escapism and demonstrate love on that stage, not just between the pair but what the power of theatre can do.” — All That Dazzles

“A piece of writing that explores the nature of love, betrayal, patriotism, loss, forgiveness and loyalty. It revisits a bygone age and harks back to a former and sometimes forgotten spirit of theatre; quietly asserting its relevance. A slow burner, but one that burns bright.”—Spy in the Stalls

“A beautiful study of young love as a way of breaking free from the past.” —Morning Star

“It is the confidence in French’s writing that stands out. Many a historical drama could benefit from such a sure hand – one that doesn’t feel the need for extraneous detail. Likewise, the sense of a real community – still dealing with the aftermath of World War I and full of inequality – shows us the lived experience of its characters with no sniff of a history lesson. This is impressive writing: Salt-Water Moon is a quality show through and through with a strong script skillfully produced.” — Theatre Reviews by Edward Lukes

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.

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.

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.”

Here’s a link to the full article.

Yesterday Lionel Walsh, the director of the Inspired Acting Lab production of Salt-Water Moon, posted this story on Facebook: “Last night we lost power during the final performance of Salt-Water Moon. James, who plays Jacob, paused and asked the audience to get out their phones, turn on the flashlight and point it towards them. They played the rest of the show by cell phone light. It was beautiful and the audience jumped to their feet at curtain call. Thank you Lion’s Head for a fabulous run and great audiences. On to three days in Kirkland Lake.”

Quick thinking by actor James Kern, and generosity from the audience members who took up the challenge of becoming instant lighting designers!

Live theatre creates so many opportunities for communion. In this age of Netflix, where it’s very easy to stay home in our own individual pods glued to a screen, live theatre offers real connection to one another, and to art. And don’t we always remember the shows where something went not-quite-according-to-plan?

I think of our friend Hrant’s story about the styrofoam set falling slowly into the audience during a performance of one of his plays at Passe Muraille. Or the time an actor dislocated his shoulder during our production of Paper Wheat and the local doctor happened to be in the audience, ran backstage, and fixed it in time for Pete to get back onstage for his next entrance. One of the reasons that it’s fun to go for post-show drinks with actors is that they have so many stories about these moments where the unexpected makes its entrance into the scripted! In Shakespeare in Love, one of Stoppard’s characters has a line that runs something like, “Theatre is a series of insurmountable obstacles on the road to imminent disaster.”

How wonderful when the obstacle becomes a magical moment like the one that happened on the weekend in Lion’s Head!

Two exciting productions of Salt-Water Moon are happening this summer!

The first is a touring show produced by the University of Windsor’s Inspired Acting Lab. It stars James Kern as Jacob and Sofie Jarvis as Mary, and is directed by the inimitable Lionel Walsh. The show opened in Windsor last night, and will go on to tour in Lion’s Head and Kirkland Lake later this summer. Lionel has produced several of David’s plays over the years, and he brought David to the U of Windsor in 2002-2003 as writer-in-residence where they became fast friends. Lionel is a brilliant director and has a deep connection to David’s work, so I’m sure that this show is amazing. Here is the scoop on dates, locations, and tickets:

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

Ticket Prices : For Windsor and Lion’s Head, tickets are $20 adult; $15 senior/student
For Kirkland Lake, $15 adult, $10 student/senior, $5 children 10 and under

The second production is special because it’s happening on PEI, where David spent nearly 40 summers. Mary and I have a great love for the Island, too, and we were happy to learn that The Guild in Charlottetown is presenting Salt-Water Moon every Sunday in August. This production stars Justin Shaw as Jacob and Helen Killorn as Mary.

Here’s a link for more information, and to buy tickets.

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!