John
Lunman
For
John, timing was everything when it came to landing a role in The Drawer Boy.
I wanted to be
part of this show because over the last few years I have seen the Borelians do
some very interesting shows (and some unusual ones) but I was always tied up
with another show or just missed the audition or some other catastrophe… so I paid
really close attention this season and wrote things down (see Ma – it works!). The Drawer Boy has been a show I have wanted to audition for for
quite some time – so I am glad to have finally gotten the chance.
John
is playing the role of Angus in The Drawer Boy.
Angus is a farmer from Clinton, Ontario who struggles with memory loss due
to a traumatic brain injury he suffered during World War II. For roughly 30 years, Angus and his friend
Morgan have carved out a quiet existence raising cows and chickens on their
small parcel of land, a repetitious way of life that has kept Angus content in
its structure and patterns.
Unlike
his character’s time on the farm, John’s dynamic theatre background has been filled
with variety.
I have been involved
in theatre both professionally and in the community for 47 years. My first
directorial experience was adapting Tennyson’s, The Highwayman to the stage in
Grade 6 at Our Lady of Perpetual Motion Catholic School. My first community
theatre experiences were with the Domino Theatre in Kingston Ontario back
when I was in High School. I went to Ottawa University and
completed my BA in Theatre: Directing, which included an opportunity to
apprentice at the National Arts Centre under John Wood. I have done shows
steadily ever since…alternating between directing, acting and when I was still
young enough, fight choreography. My
other skill is as a dramaturge…. I read plays the way others read books – about
200 a year and I keep a lending library for those who ask or I will find you
scripts to your specifications.
To
say that John’s acting resume is prolific would be an understatement. He has worked all over Durham Region (and
beyond) on adaptations of Shakespeare, in modern Canadian plays, classics, comedies,
festivals… he has even won an award (best villain) for his portrayal of Thomas
Cromwell at the Ontario Renaissance Festival.
In the area in the
last year or so, I have directed Shakespeare’s The Tempest for Durham Shoestring
Performers; played William the Bum in George F. Walker’s Criminals in Love for
the Peterborough Theatre Guild; and played Scrooge (with my daughter as Tiny
Tim) for Whitby Courthouse Theatre. Also for WCT I finally got to be in a
musical and played The Narrator for The Rocky Horror Show.
The
Borelians and Port Perry Town Hall Players are thrilled to have John working
with them for the first time. Watching
him bring Angus to life in rehearsals has been an unforgettable experience for
the entire group. Don’t miss your chance
to see John in The Drawer boy, this October at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry. Tickets are on sale now!
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