Salt-Water Moon is a Canadian theatrical play by David French, first staged by Tarragon Theatre in 1984.[1] It is the third in his Mercer Plays series, following Leaving Home (1972) and Of the Fields, Lately (1973), and preceding 1949 (1988) and Soldier’s Heart (2001).[2]

Unlike the earlier plays, which centred on Jacob and Mary Mercer's relationships with their adult children in the 1960s, Salt-Water Moon depicts the beginning of their relationship in 1926. Jacob previously dated Mary until breaking up when he moved to Toronto a year earlier, but upon returning to Coley's Point he discovers that she is now engaged to another man and sets out to win her back.[3]

Production history

The original Tarragon production starred Richard Clarkin as Jacob and Denise Naples as Mary.[1] A 1986 production in Ottawa for the Great Canadian Theatre Company starred Marshall Button and Rona Waddington.[4] A production for the Blyth Festival in 2004 starred Darren Keay and Charlotte Gowdy;[5] Keay had also played Jacob in the premiere of the sequel Soldier's Heart in 2001.[6]

A 2008 revival for Soulpepper Theatre starred Jeff Lillico and Krystin Pellerin.[7]

Awards

The play won both the Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award[8] and the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play[9] in 1985, and was a Governor General's Literary Award nominee for English-language drama at the 1985 Governor General's Awards.[10] Bill Glassco was also a Dora nominee for Best Director, and Sue LePage was nominated for Best Set Design.[11]

At the 15th ACTRA Awards in 1986, Lenore Zann won the award for best actress in a radio drama for a CBC Radio production of the play.[12] Urjo Kareda was also nominated, but did not win, best radio writing for the adaptation.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Stephen Godfrey, "Tale of two partners adds a new chapter with Mercers' return". The Globe and Mail, October 1, 1984.
  2. ↑ Eugene Benson, "French, David" in Colin Chambers, The Encyclopedia of Twentieth Century Theatre, London: Continuum, 2002 [2005], p.291.
  3. ↑ Stephen Godfrey, "Salt-Water Moon's a gem". The Globe and Mail, October 3, 1984.
  4. ↑ Barbara Crook, "Life imitates theatre for actors in this play". Ottawa Citizen, September 3, 1986.
  5. ↑ "Blyth Festival offers a taste of the East Coast under the 'Salt- Water Moon'". Waterloo Chronicle, July 14, 2004.
  6. ↑ Richard Ouzounian, "Soldier's Heart fades away". Toronto Star, November 15, 2001.
  7. ↑ Michael Posner, "Easy to fall in love with Salt-Water Moon". The Globe and Mail, January 15, 2008.
  8. ↑ Stephen Godfrey, "Walker wins Chalmers". The Globe and Mail, January 29, 1985.
  9. ↑ "Cats takes lion's share of Dora awards". Montreal Gazette, October 9, 1985.
  10. ↑ "Finalists announced for literary awards". Montreal Gazette, May 13, 1986.
  11. ↑ Matthew Fraser, "13 Dora nominations for Tarragon". The Globe and Mail, September 5, 1985.
  12. ↑ "Nellies honor Canadian TV, radio". Ottawa Citizen, April 3, 1986.
  13. ↑ "ACTRA nominations for 15th annual Nellie Awards on April 2". Montreal Gazette, March 18, 1986.
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