Drawer Boy will resonate with Valley audiences

BY WENDY ELLIOTT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey is already classic Canadian theatre. No dry tome though, this play deserves to be presented at the Atlantic Theatre Festival (ATF) because it’s full of the kind of life that will resonate in the Annapolis Valley.

The play is set in 1972 and revolves around a young, self-absorbed actor from Toronto who sets down in rural Ontario to do research for a play. Miles encounters two middle-aged farmers, Morgan and Angus, who run a farm operation together and he begins his real education.

Pasha Ebrahimi, who’s a Dalhousie University acting grad, plays Miles. The farmers are portrayed by two seasoned professionals, Lee J. Campbell and Raymond O’Neill, both of whom have trod the ATF stage before.

In fact, O’Neill is committing himself to a continuing role with ATF as associate director and development director. His years at the Stratford Festival will have prepared him ably to take on these tasks.

Director Richard Donat is a Kentville native. Without being too nostalgic, he says, he recalls his childhood growing up around the orchards and woods of Canaan Ave. as very happy. “Of course, it’s all developed now.”

Donat brings that background to his direction of The Drawer Boy and it’s not his first stint at the helm. He just likes the play. “It’s a really good yarn,” he said. “The characters are interesting and while it’s set in Ontario, it could be here.”

‘Very touching story’

O’Neill adds, “it’s a very touching story. Coming from Stratford to doing a modern play, this is one that’s extremely funny and yet looks at the plight of farmers. It’s the best Canadian play I’ve been in.”

It’s a fact that The Drawer Boy has garnered its fair share of Chalmers and Dora Awards. Campbell, who toured the show around New Brunswick previously, says in small places like Sussex “they just loved it.”

“I think it resonates,” O’Neill said. “It’s such a good play.” Ebrahimi finds the script compelling and says he thinks audiences will relate to the trio of characters.

The story within the broad plot of The Drawer Boy is about the fate of two WWII veterans. “It can be heartbreaking what you lose in going to war,” notes O’Neill.

Ebrahimi says the two war vets teach Miles a great deal about humour and survival, as well as loyalty and friendship. “They have a wonderful sense of humour, getting up to the kind of tricks that would happen in army camp.”

Given the agricultural theme, ATF is partnering with the Wolfville foodbank to raise awareness. Local farms have also been invited to participate in the opening night gala. The Drawer Boy previews July 25 and opens July 26. It runs until Sept. 9.