SURREY - Actor Mike Busswood draws parallels between himself and a character he plays in Surrey Little Theatre's production of The Drawer Boy, on stage until May 17.
"I think his directness, his enjoyment of life, his childlike qualities" are all similar, said Busswood, a 57-year-old retired Telus electrician who's passion for theatre has consumed he and his wife for some 30 years."I did musicals in high school in Vancouver, then 10 years later my wife Cathe got me involved in Arsenic and Old Lace in Abbotsford. Theatre then became our hobby," he explained, noting their daughters Samantha and Kaitlyn have since become immersed in theatre, as well.Despite taking on roles - both on and off stage - in upwards of 60 plays through the years throughout the Lower Mainland since then, Busswood said this is his first show with Surrey Little Theatre."I have known of SLT for many years and I've just never gotten around to doing a show there until now," he said.Busswood, a Langley resident, plays one of the three characters in the production of Canadian playwright Michael Healey's script.Busswood and his wife had both worked with director June Ainsworth in the past. When she asked Cathe to be stage manager for The Drawer Boy, Busswood decided to tag along and audition.Actors Aaron Elliott, Barry Wright and Mike Busswood (from left) in Surrey Little Theatre's production of The Drawer Boy."My role is Angus in The Drawer Boy. He's one of two older men, bachelor farmers in rural Ontario. Angus is damaged from shrapnel in the Second World War, he has no short-term memory... I had read the play and knew I wanted to play Angus."The Drawer Boy continues until May 17 at Surrey Little Theatre, 7027 184th St., Thursday to Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Sunday matinees. Tickets are $15 via 604-576-8451 and www.brownpapertickets.com. For show details, visit www.surreylittletheatre.com.