A classic Canadian love story will be reinterpreted on-stage at Gateway Theatre by artists from Toronto, who created the sold-out hit last season.
Salt-Water Moon, written by David French 34 years ago, is set in a village in Newfoundland in 1926, when young people are abandoning their roots for a new life in the big city.
But 18-year-old Jacob Mercer returns home from Toronto to win back his former love, Mary Snow, who he abruptly left more than a year ago.
The former lovers meet under the moon-lit sky to confront their past choices and fall in love again.
“With just two actors and only a few physical elements, the audience will be transported to the place envisioned in David French’s timeless tale; Newfoundland under a star-filled sky,” said Ravi Jain, director of the play and a founding member of Toronto’s Why Not Theatre.
The show is traditionally done by two actors in a realistic setting. However, Jain takes away all the settings on the stage, only leaving candles, with an on-stage narrator.
“It’s an old Canadian classic play, and it’s been going for a very long time. Now we’re doing it in new way that should help the audience see that there are more ways to look at our history,” said Jain.
“The narrator provides a language that can describe the world it takes place in and help the audience to imagine the house, and the costumes the characters are wearing…” he added.
Although many actors have played the roles in the famous Canadian play, the current show is the first time actors “who are not white” are cast in the old Canadian play, according to Jain.
“I did it on purpose...traditionally, people with colour are not able to play these roles because of the time it was written,” said Jain.
“I want to show people from a different point of view... Putting actors that are not white into these roles is a really big idea.”
Mayko Nguyen, who plays Mary Snow, said she is very excited to bring the show back to Richmond, where her family lives.
“I’m excited to go home and my family will get to see my work. It will be nice for them to come and see some of the things that I’m doing,” said Nguyen.
The struggles the young people are going through in the story really stick out to her.
“They are both premature and going through a lot of struggles for such young individuals, which has a lot to do with what keeps them apart,” explained Nguyen.
“Also, the two young kids have to deal with class struggles. For example, my character has to go and work in services after her father dies...That’s just her situation and she can’t get out of it.”
Nguyen said it is challenging to work in a two-person drama.
“You have to be on stage, engaged and present the entire time. It’s like you are running for an hour and half," said Nguyen.
"But it’s a great process working with the excellent director and actors. Jain really pared down the play to be a central love story.
“I hope the audience just get swept up in the two characters and the peace of it all.”
Salt-Water Moon will be performed at Gateway Theatre daily from Feb. 15 to 24, except on Monday, Feb. 19. Tickets can be purchased here.
