1949 continues the saga of the Mercer family, enlarged to include the extended family as well as off-stage characters from earlier plays. David French deals with the emotional and political decisions that the characters must come to as Newfoundland joins Confederation on April Fool’s Day of 1949. As recent immigrants to Toronto, the members of the Mercer family see this event both as a new future and as a loss of Newfoundland’s culture and independence.
Cast of 6 women, 6 men and 2 boys.
Short-listed 1988 BC Book Prize for Non-Fiction
“Written on an epic scale with an epic theme…The stories are told with French’s warm humour and effortless command of stage convention.”
—Globe and Mail
“Hilarious.”
—Winnipeg Free Press
“A glorious romp of Newfoundland humour and pathos.”
—Montreal Gazette”
Nominated for the 1988 BC Book Prize for Non-Fiction
news | 2021-11-12
Phyllis Webb In Memoriam
…Columbia. She was twenty-two years old when in 1949 she ran as an election candidate for the …
news | 2010-12-06
A Fond Farewell to David French
…Home, Salt-Water Moon, Soldier’s Heart, 1949 and Of the Fields, Lately. Notably, David …
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