Gerald has spent most of his adult life in Osaka, Japan. He writes plays and short stories that often focus on the lies we tell to others and the lies we tell to ourselves. His friends are often surprised how sad his work can be, and those who only know him through his work are often surprised how much he smiles. After retiring from teaching he divides his time between Vancouver, BC and Osaka, so he can feel slightly out of place in two cultures. He has been married to the same man for thirty years.
Plays
A series of stories inspired by real events of children who die due to negligence. It is a heart wrenching series with touching moments to help us understand and see the warmth that has been lost.
A young couple are discussing his family's celebrations and her skepticism that everything needs to be celebrated. Her concern of the annual celebrations commemorating the boy's bris is particularly cutting.
A young couple recounts how she almost married her fathers employee when she was 15. In fact she was using her agreement to marry to trick her father and then marry her current, and entirely unsuitable, boyfriend. It’s about marriage, and what is family.
A young woman is sexually touched on a bus. She, her boyfriend, and the perpetrator each explain their reaction. A frank examination of what we accept in these conditions and what is, always, a big deal.
A senior manager takes her young male employee out to lunch and implies a promotion if he has sex with her. She never explicitly states anything, so it is very vague, till he agrees. It is a comic play that isn’t really funny.
A mentally ill man is holding forth about the dangers that are present in his life. It’s not clear if the person he is talking to is real or not. It examines the mind of a mentally ill person.
An executive is given 6 months to live. She is introduced to a man through a dating app for the terminally ill. They hit it off. It’s about a celebration of life while the person is still living.
A dance teacher in a small town is accused of sexual interference with a minor. Did he do it? Was he coerced? Two detectives try and find out what exactly was the role of the dance teacher?
A man in a gentrifying neighbourhood looks out his window and comments on street life and drug use. He reflects the disdain that gentrification can import into a neighbourhood in trouble.
Two college guys wake up naked together after a night out drinking. All the evidence suggests that they engaged in "that kind" of sex which they eventually conclude isn’t gay, it’s about friendship. It’s funny
Felicia's husband, Nick, discovers he is a half inch taller than he thought so decides to make changes. Felicia makes changes of her own, leaving him not as tall as he thought.
Two young men have sold their computer company for 100 million. The day before signing they argue. One, who is jealous, suggests that he will only sign if the other kills his girlfriend.
Does evil really exist, or is it something humans create? Ron is a young forensic psychologist who turns to his former teacher to help him come to terms with a horrific and inexplicable murder.
This is a delightfully scary short play that is perfect for sending halloween chills.
There is an expectation that wifi is, and should be, available. This restaurant patron seems to misunderstand the correct rules of behaviour when things don't match his expectations. Or he could just be a nut job - it's difficult to tell when there's no wifi..
Trevor and Margaret discuss what they want in a relationship, and how Trevor's sex with men affects that. Trevor's father interjects with insights into Trevor's past, as well, as his relationship with Margaret.
Families are complicated.
Ron, an elderly man, is having a serious conversation with his long time sex worker Skip about aging and being an elderly gay man in a youth focused culture. Ron's own shallowness results in unexpected consequences for Skip.
Do the dead hear stories we tell about them?
Noah tells us the story of being in a library during a school shooting.
Successes
Samuel French OOB 2021 Festival has selected THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. A short play centered around a high school shooting in the United Stated.