The playwright Emil Sher discusses his adaptation of the Ian Brown memoir The Boy in the Moon, that was to have been staged by Neworld Theatre in March 2020, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

I can still remember back in 2009, being captivated by the Ian Brown memoir The Boy in the Moon. I interviewed Ian, I believe he was in a car, as he traveled from one television studio in town to another, back in the day when an author on tour could expect several broadcast media hits in Vancouver. I had a look at the book in advance of this interview now that I taped back in mid-March. It’s still a beautiful book, frank, and humane. In the book Mr. Brown discusses what it was like raising a son, with his wife, the writer Johanna Schneller, their daughter, as well as their caregiver. Walker, you see, was born with a rare genetic disorder. He has lived now with a severe disability for many years, and the book provided insight into what it was like for Walker growing up, and the sorts of questions Ian contended with. In the 11 years since the book came out, to rave notices and pretty good book sales, it has become a favourite of memoir enthusiasts, and I can think of several other authors who’ve appeared on this show, who in their own works have cited Ian’s book as encouragement, whether for writing, or for looking at life. The book has inspired a theatrical adaptation, and it’s because of that I spoke with the playwright Emil Sher. He wrote the adaptation, and we talked about it in advance of the Neworld Theatre production that was to have run at the Historic Theatre at the Cultch from late March into April. Because of COVID-19 and precautions over the coronavirus the production at this point is postponed. When I talked to Mr. Sher, we agreed we’d tape a conversation as if the show was to proceed, because even then it looked iffy. I told Emil I’d hold the tape until the show were to run, be it in the fall or later, but I liked what we discussed, touching on this unique time, as well fundamental questions The Boy in the Moon contends with, family, and the value we place on our lives and of those around us. Emil Sher is known for his stage work for young and once-were-young audiences. He has adapted Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine, and Roch Carrier’s The Hockey Sweater for the stage. His other productions include Mourning Dove, Bluenose, Derailed, and The Book of Ashes. His website is at www.emilsher.com. He joined me from Toronto, 15 March 2020. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line, Emil Sher; Mr. Sher, good morning.

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