Event:
Soldier's Heart
October 30 - November 11, 2007by David French
at Studio 16 (1555 West 7th Avenue)
Starring Nelson Carter-Leis, Ryan Cowie and Vaughn Jones
Directed by James Wilson
On July 1st, 1916 801 soldiers of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment rose from the trenches and went into battle at Beaumont-Hamel, France. The next day, only 68 men answered the regimental roll call: 255 were dead, 386 were wounded, and 91 were listed as missing. Every officer who had gone over the top was either wounded or dead.
Soldier’s Heart, by renowned Canadian playwright David French, is a poignant story set in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland in 1924. French chronicles the struggle of a father and son, Esau and Jacob Mercer, trying to reconnect after the horrific events of the First World War. The play tells of Esau’s struggle to reconnect with his home life and his inability to disclose a terrible secret from his battle days.
Set at the Bay Roberts train station, the story provides a snapshot of rural life in post-war Newfoundland. The play exposes one family’s intense struggle to overcome loss, Newfoundland’s devastating sacrifices and it’s outstanding role as a member of the British Empire.
July 1st, 1916 was the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army – 57,470 casualties with 19,240 dead. It marked the beginning of the largest battle of World War One with eventually over one million casualties. To this day, Beaumont-Hamel remains the most significant single military action fought by Newfoundlanders.
Performances:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Tuesday – Saturday at 8 pm
Matinees:
Wednesday, November 7
Friday, November 9
Sunday, November 11 at 2pm
Tickets:
$20 Adult, $18 Student/Senior
Tuesdays are 2 for 1
Available at:
Biz Books (302 West Cordova)
or contact reAct Theatre Ensemble 604.628.4954 www.reacttheatre.com
