Powerful Storytelling and Relationships Make ‘The Drawer Boy’ Shine
Two farmers, a folksy artist, a collective theatre project, and a secret between friends kept for decades: what could go wrong?
The Drawer Boy, an award-winning play by Brockville’s Michael Healey, tells the story of two old friends in 1972 rural Ontario. Angus (Tom Barnett) and Morgan (Patrick McManus) live and work alone on their farm, but their lives change when Miles (Stephen Jackman-Torkoff), a young actor from Toronto working on a devised theatre piece about farming arrives to stay with them. In a storm of humour and mystery, The Drawer Boy showcases the power of human connection and friendship, even in the most tragic of circumstances.
Although the cast is made up of only three actors, their magnetic performances are expertly paired with Healey’s text to make the world of the production feel tangible, inviting audiences close to the heart of the story. Barnett, McManus, and Jackman-Torkoff match one another in sincerity, depth, and comedy. Combined with the intimate set design by Nick Blais, the show made me feel as though I was sitting in another room in their house, listening in on Angus, Morgan, and Miles’ everyday chatter and routine. Some of my favourite parts of the show—and the audience’s, judging by their uproarious laughter throughout—were the comedic moments they shared with one another, often to poke fun at Miles, a city-dweller through and through whose experiences with farms has been limited, particularly at the beginning of the show.
Barnett showcases immense emotional range as Angus, navigating some of the play’s most devastating moments and the character’s frantic—yet often comedic—physicality with ease. His humour is particularly present in the opening scene of the play, where his repeated struggle to eat a sandwich makes for a cartoonishly amusing introduction to the farm’s daily routine. Likewise, McManus delivers an incredible performance as Morgan, balancing the character’s firm, guarded demeanour with a profound love for his friend. His touching monologue near the end of act one is powerful and left the room standing still. Jackman-Torkoff is perfectly out of place as Miles and there is a gradual—but clear—shift from the character’s youthful ignorance at the beginning of the play into someone tied to his hosts, understanding the hardships endured by them.
The set is detailed and lived-in throughout the actor’s playing space, yet simple in its incorporation of canvas and raw wood structures in the walls and roof of the farmhouse. It is particularly superb when paired with a clever choice made by Director Alan Dilworth at the end of the play to spectacularly use each member of the design team’s specialties. Blais’ set is complimented beautifully by Andre du Toit’s warm lighting design, and the effect cast from the light on the screened-in windows of the set were a detail I adored. Slight adjustments in the light’s colour and angle convey the hour and mood portrayed in each scene. Richard Feren’s sound design and music for the show further enhance the rural atmosphere and aid in marking the end of each scene with a folk-esque (albeit, slightly repetitive) string motif.
A lovely offering was also made by this show inviting audience members to stay after the performance and discuss its themes for a short while, led by volunteers at the Thousand Islands Playhouse. I am not certain how regular an event this is within the Playhouse’s seasons, but I found it a beautiful moment made ahead of the performance—how special for a show that is all about human connection to invite these connections between its audiences following a performance? After all, isn’t that what live theatre is all about?
Thousand Islands Playhouse’s production of The Drawer Boy is a hilarious and heartfelt show that is well-worth the venture to Gananoque; whether you are in need of revisiting a beloved Canadian piece of theatre or simply haven’t had the pleasure of seeing this touching show come to life, this production is a must see.
‘The Drawer Boy’ is presented by Thousand Islands Playhouse and runs until September 28th, 2025 at the Firehall Theatre. Tickets and more information can be found here.
