BRANDON, MB — Brandon University drama professor James Forsythe and his colleague, sessional instructor Gordon Portman are joining forces with local actors Blair Bolduc and Connor Lavell in “The Drawer Boy”, an award winning comedy/drama by Canadian playwright Michael Healey. This is also the latest offering by Forsythe’s theatre company Pet Projects Productions.
Set in the early 1970’s, “The Drawer Boy” is the story of a visit paid by Miles, an idealistic actor from Toronto (Lavell), to the home of a pair of bachelor farmers (Bolduc and Forsythe). While researching farm life for a play he is involved with, Miles accidentally stumbles on a painful secret in the farmers’ past. In the aftermath of that secret being brought to light, all three characters discover the positive value of life with the truth out in the open.
“There are lots of moments that are laugh-out-loud funny,” Portman, the show’s director/producer. “One instance is when one of the farmers tells the actor to shuffle the eggs so the chickens won’t get upset when they’re taken away for good. But there are also some moments that are genuinely very moving”.
He adds that the play is suitable for everyone from teenagers to grandparents. “Everyone can find something to laugh at or relate to.”
“The Drawer Boy” was originally produced by Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, in 1999.
This is the second production featuring Portman, Forsythe and Bolduc. In 2010, they also collaborated on Pet Projects’ production of “Art” by Yazmina Reza.
Performances of “The Drawer Boy” will be at the Evans Theatre on the Brandon University Campus, Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. as well as Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available from Hairistocracy and at the door.
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For more information, please contact:
Joanne F. Villeneuve
Communications, Brandon University
270 – 18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 6A9
Tel. 204-727-9762
villeneuvej@brandonu.ca
Contact
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- communications@brandonu.ca
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