David French’s Salt-Water Moon is set in 1926, when Newfoundland was still part of the British Empire, only becoming the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949. Having won a slew of awards since its premiere in Toronto in 1984, the play has since become a classic of Canadian theatre.
It’s a moon-lit night in the isolated Newfoundland community of Coley’s Point, and young Mary Snow is gazing at the stars as she awaits the return of her fiancé, the wealthy Jerome McKenzie. Due to marry Jerome the following month, she is startled by the sudden return of her former love, Jacob Mercer, who left suddenly and without even saying goodbye twelve months previously. Mary cannot forgive Jacob for leaving and not writing to her in the intervening months. But, as more is revealed of their families’ pasts and their ongoing suffering, could there be a future for the young lovers? In a community still reeling from the after-effects of the First World War and the loss of so many young men who died on the fields of Flanders, the two have much to consider. For Mary, it’s the prospect of a stable future with a good man who will provide for her. Having been put into service because of her mother’s grief after the loss of Mary’s father in the war and subsequent inability to cope with raising her daughters, Mary also wants to help her younger sister, who has been confined to a girls’ home presided over by a cruel matron. For Jacob, it’s winning back the love of his life and regaining the regard of his parents.
The two leads are perfectly cast. Joseph Potter has a cheeky charm as Jacob, just on the right side of “jerk”. Apparently spurred on to return to Coley’s Point on hearing of Mary’s engagement and seeing the comparison with a Tom Mix movie in which a bride is “rescued” from entering into a bad marriage, he comes across as a bit of a rogue but insists he hasn’t seen other women while in Toronto. Mary’s fierce intelligence and independence of spirit is beautifully portrayed by Bryony Miller who clearly still has feelings for Jacob but who has made a commitment to Jerome. This is a story that only works because of the chemistry between Mary and Jacob; Miller and Potter definitely have that connection and bring an authenticity to their roles. Peter Kavanagh’s direction is deft, drawing out the best of the two leads.
Mim Houghton’s set glows with starlight but is otherwise suitably sparse, echoing the isolated location.
This is a romantic story of young love in a setting of natural beauty. It’s a simple tale, but no less charming for that.
Salt-Water Moon is at the Finborough Theatre until Saturday, 28th January. Tickets are available from: https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/salt-water-moon/
Reviewer: Carole Gordon
Reviewed: 5th January 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★★