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Mercer series
1949
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.
Cast of 6 women, 6 men and 2 boys.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
13 people want to read
About the author
David Benson French
14 books1 followerDavid Benson French, OC was a Canadian playwright, most noted for his "Mercer Plays" series.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 22, 2026
Sprawling and contained, somehow. Tries to pack too much into one play with a couple of unnecessary plot lines and characters.
The relevance to Canada's present situation with the last scene was surprising.
The relevance to Canada's present situation with the last scene was surprising.
November 22, 2018
Beautifully told story, an excellent play!
December 30, 2016
194. 1949 by David French
This two act, four scene play is set on the eve of Newfoundland joining Confederation and the characters are the Mercer family, in Toronto. I guess we could call this one a “midquel” because it happens between the previously published Mercer plays. Jacob and Mary are now the parents of two boys, and Jacob’s mother, Rachel, is living with them, as is a boarder, Ned. Mary’s sister, Dot, is also staying with them, as she has separated from Wilf. Jerome MacKenzie, who left teaching, and has become a newspaper reporter, has been sent to see how expat Newfoundlanders are reacting to Confederation. Rachel is in mourning, but Jacob remembers how difficult life in Newfoundland was. Ned has always refused to admit he is from Newfoundland and he has told his girlfriend, April, that he is Irish. There are other humorous characters, the local doctor, a neighbor, and a schoolteacher hated by the boys. A lovely piece with several reconciliations.
This two act, four scene play is set on the eve of Newfoundland joining Confederation and the characters are the Mercer family, in Toronto. I guess we could call this one a “midquel” because it happens between the previously published Mercer plays. Jacob and Mary are now the parents of two boys, and Jacob’s mother, Rachel, is living with them, as is a boarder, Ned. Mary’s sister, Dot, is also staying with them, as she has separated from Wilf. Jerome MacKenzie, who left teaching, and has become a newspaper reporter, has been sent to see how expat Newfoundlanders are reacting to Confederation. Rachel is in mourning, but Jacob remembers how difficult life in Newfoundland was. Ned has always refused to admit he is from Newfoundland and he has told his girlfriend, April, that he is Irish. There are other humorous characters, the local doctor, a neighbor, and a schoolteacher hated by the boys. A lovely piece with several reconciliations.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews