The Drawer Boy

This play is a meticulous character study of ordinary individuals whose extraordinary ability to play with the truth unravels in a heart-warming manner. Miles’s (Sam Barson) intrusion into the lives of Angus (John Cheshire) and Morgan (Andrew McAliece) initially appears innocuous. Neither the text nor this production suggests otherwise. The first act reveals little of the huge impact Miles’s presence will ultimately have on their lives.

The performances, accompanied by a very effective and melancholic musical score, are expertly executed. The soft edges of the Canadian accents are beautifully enunciated, although McAliece seems less comfortable with the rhythm of the language. Barson inhabits the part of Miles with an amusing sense of naivety while Cheshire creates an endearing portrayal of Angus’s forgetfulness. The pace of the performance picks up as the truth slowly unfolds, however, the lead up can seem slow and the production could have benefitted from a more suspenseful approach to the climax. 

One of the strengths of the show is the striking set design; it is both pragmatic and extremely evocative. Its clean, harmonious lines are decorated with some intricate and fine details which always produce captivating aesthetics. The lighting accurately captures the mood of the play and helps to give the set a variety of spatial dimensions. This is a fine production that works hard to allow this important example of Canadian theatre to shine.

Patricia Di Risio