Is it art imitating life or the other way around?

In 1972, a group of actors with Toronto-based Theatre Passe Muraille trudged into the greenbelt of southwestern Ontario to get up close and personal with the farmers.

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Not long after, the company debuted "The Farm Show," a highly successful production based on those experiences. That it played initially in the very same barns and fields where the actors gained their knowledge only added to its intrigue.

One of those actors was Miles Potter. Decades later, Canadian playwright Michael Healey would meet Potter and other folks intrinsic to The Farm Show. And he was so smitten with the story that he immediately got to work on a fictionalized account of Potter's interaction with two of the farmers.

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His play, "The Drawer Boy," has since garnered national and international fame, winning multiple awards in Canada and being translated into four other languages. And this Thursday, it begins a run right here in Penticton with Many Hats Theatre Company at the Cannery Stage.

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Set in 1972, The Drawer Boy opens at a farm run by two cohabitating bachelors named Morgan and Angus. The latter suffered a serious head wound 30 years prior in which he effectively lost his memory. But with this lifelong friend Morgan by his side, taking him in and acting as his guardian, he's managed to get by.

Into their placid if not mundane existence comes young actor Miles. At first, Morgan has fun at the city slicker's expense, fabricating stories about rural life and asking him to perform outrageous chores. Like shuffling eggs. And washing gravel.

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But the enthusiastic Miles becomes increasingly curious about their lives, about their back story, and specifically about Angus' memory loss and his life prior to it.

And Angus starts remembering. Soon enough, the audience realizes why the play was named The Drawer Boy and that life isn't always what we think it is.

"It's the depth of the character and what's happened to him in his life," said Okanagan Falls actor Vance Potter, on describing why he wanted to tackle the central role of Angus.

Photo Credit: NowMediaVance Potter as Angus

"And his relationship with Morgan, who he's very close with. And then the relationship he develops with Myles and how it opens up his life."

Penticton's Eric Hanston, who plays Angus' life partner Morgan, said, "It's a good story, a good script, and the characters are challenging. My character has a lot of layers to him, and he's someone who's living with a story."

Photo Credit: NowMediaEric Hanston as Morgan

"We'll have people wiping away tears for both reasons – from laughing so hard and from being touched."

Andrew Knudsen has extra incentive. He's also the theatre instructor at Penticton Secondary. And he expects a lot of his students will be in attendance to see his portrayal of Miles.

Photo Credit: NowMediaAndrew Knudsen as Miles

"It's good for me because it shows my students I can still do it," he laughed. "And It's important for them to come see something like this, professionally or semi-professionally, so they know they can get out there and do this outside of school."

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"This is a Canadian classic, and anytime you get a chance to do a Canadian classic, you jump on the opportunity."

PentictonNow had a chance to watch a few scenes during a rehearsal earlier this week, and can say without hesitation that the performances are truly sublime.

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This is an engrossing production that, as Hanston says, will elicit a range of emotions. And quite likely, deep empathy for its trio of characters.

The Drawer Boy opens this Thursday and runs through November 30th, with performances scheduled for every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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There will be an opening night reception Thursday evening featuring the wines of Play Estate Winery and tasty snacks from The Nest and Nectar. A second night reception goes Friday, featuring the craft brews of Cannery Brewing Company.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for students and seniors, and are available now at the Many Hats’ Eventbrite page.

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