Mary's Wedding

Mary's Wedding is nothing like the play I set out to write. It was always intended to be a big war story. Gordon Flowerdew's charge at Moreuil Wood is not fictional. It happened near the end of the First World War. 

So this was going to be a war play. However, I was in love when I wrote it and the more I loved her, the more Mary and Charlie loved each other. The more I longed to return to her, the more they longed to return to each other in the play.

I did it to forget her and to get her back and to remember her and to let her go. Mary's Wedding is 'our' love story with 'their' war in it. 

It is a memorial to both the Great War and Great Love. 

That is how this play turned out nothing like the one I set out to write. I'm sorry for not finishing what I started. Getting the girl back may not be the best reason to write a play. 

But it sure is pretty for trying.

-Stephen Massicotte

Mary's Wedding features the character Gordon Flowerdew, a real lieutenant during The Great War (World War I). The play's description of the battle at Moreuil Wood, where Lt. Flowerdew led his Canadian Calvary Brigade squadron, is based on true accounts.

1914

June 28: While visiting Sarajevo in Serbia, the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne and his wife are assassinated by nationalist extremists.

July 28: Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

July 31: Russia comes to Serbia's aid, keeping their promise to assist Serbia. 

Aug.1: Threatened by Russia's mobilization, Germany declares war on Russia and, two days later, on France.

Aug. 4: Germany marches into Belgium en route to Paris. Britain, which has a protection treaty with Belgium, declares war on Germany. The Canadian government decides that, as a close ally of Britain, Canada is also at war.

Aug. 5: Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.

Aug.10: France declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Aug.12: Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Oct. 16: Canadian troops arrive in Britain and train to join the British Army.

1917. 

Apr. 6: United States declares war on Germany. 

Apr. 12: Canadian Army captures Vimy Ridge, a battle of great importance which spelled the beginning of the German retreat.

1918

Aug.11: At Moreuil Wood, the Canadian Calvary Brigade helps drive back the German advance. Squadron commander Lieutenant G.M. Flowerdew wins a Victoria Cross for bravery. 

Nov. 11: Armistice signed, fighting stops, and the Great War ends.