Top drawer

The story of a young outsider researching a play is told in acclaimed drama The Drawer Boy, which receives its Scottish premiere at the Tron this spring.

The premise might be familiar to anyone who has recently seen Black Watch – which tells of a playwright visiting soldiers as research for his play – and the leading man might be, too.

Brian Ferguson originated the lead role of soldier Cammy in that show and has now been cast by the Tron’s new artistic director Andy Arnold as Miles, an actor researching a new play by interviewing farm workers, in The Drawer Boy.

The play is inspired by actual events, which culminated in a landmark work of Canadian theatre called The Farm Show. After meeting some of those who contributed, many years after the event, Healey was inspired to tell their story.

The Drawer Boy won rave reviews and numerous awards when it premiered in 1999. The Toronto Star said it “touches the heart and mind in equal measure”. Explaining his decision to make it his first production at his new home, Arnold has said that he fell in love with the play the first time he read it. “I wanted to stage something that would appeal to anybody who comes to see it,” he added, “And I’m totally confident that it will do just that.”

The Drawer Boy is at Tron Theatre, Glasgow from May 8 to 24.