Gabriola Island playwright Frank Moher is putting his own story on this stage. Boy Player chronicles the author’s experience of being orphaned and moving across a continent in his youth. It’s the third in a series of shows from Western Edge Theatre exploring themes of men’s mental health. Moher visited CHLY to speak about the show, alongside Jonathan Greenway, who’s directing Boy Player.
“ The play is really kind of particular and specific to what happened to me,” said Moher. “And then I try to open it up so that it will connect with people about finding a passion in life, whether that’s a thing, a pursuit, a person, or in my case two of them, and how that really can save your life.”
Moher founded Western Edge Theatre in 2002. More than 20 years later, Greenway took over the reigns as the company’s artistic director. It was Moher that asked Greenway to direct him in Boy Player.
“ I said, are you sure?” Said Greenway. “ I don’t have these life experiences of, of orphanage or, or the wisdom of years that Frank does.”
Greenway does however have a background in drama therapy and therapeutic theatre, which he says ultimately felt like a really good fit for the show.
“We talk about stepping into the river of memories of his show and that river of memories – we wanna make sure he doesn’t get carried downstream. So I’m always at the shore with a rope ready.”
Moher says the purpose of the show is first and foremost, to divert the audience.
“ Jonathan and I agreed that the first rehearsal we’re not here to do therapy. I mean, doing something like this can be therapeutic, but that’s not really the end point. We’re doing a show, we’re there to really make you feel something and entertain you.”
Boy Player is the third in a series of shows from Western Edge Theatre exploring themes of men’s mental health this season.
Greenway says this season’s shows have provided the opportunity to showcase the opposite of toxic masculinity.
“Men that can showcase their darker moments and say, look, I’m here and I’m in front of you, and you’re not alone in that sense,” he said.
“ We get to see these locally written pieces by local playwrights that are showcasing things that are very personal to them, and that just resonates on another level.”
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