Theatre was been a part of Shaun McHale鈥檚 world for much of his life, and he thanks his late grandma for making that so.

As a boy growing up in White Rock, his grandmother would volunteer at the local playhouse at least twice a month, and he鈥檇 be invited to tag along.

He鈥檇 always sneak in to watch the play of the day. Needless to say the action on and off stage resonated with young Shaun, and by age 13 he was cast in his first lead role as Horton in Suessical: The Musical.

鈥淚 found it was a really good way to express my creativity and curb my excess energy,鈥� said Shaun, now 28.

Following that first production, he immersed himself in pantomimes and musicals for years, with both the 性视界传媒 Youth Theatre and White Rock Players. He even went to acting school in Vancouver a few years back.

But following the passing of his grandmother, Terry McHale, about three years ago he opted to step back from theatre for a while 鈥� instead focusing on his paying gig as a full-time landscaper.

It鈥檚 his girlfriend, Amy Goheen, he said who can be credited for pulling him back into the theatrical world 鈥� and specifically into the world of the Royal Canadian Theatre Company.

It was a chance to share more time with Goheen, who is assistant stage manager on the current production. But it was also Joseph Kesselring鈥檚 script and the 鈥渞idiculous characters鈥� that ultimately compelled Shaun to audition for the RCTC鈥檚 production of Arsenic and Old Lace.

It鈥檚 nice to be back in theatre again, Shaun said, admitting he missed it more than he realized.

Shaun has taken on the minor role as Officer Pat Brophy, an Irish cop in Brooklyn in the 1940s. He鈥檚 only on stage at the beginning and end of the show.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit of something new for me,鈥� said the young man who lives on the Langley-性视界传媒 border and is aspiring to become a mental health and addictions counsellor.

Describing his character, Shaun said Officer Brophy is not the 鈥渟harpest tool in the shed.鈥� But in looking for personality parallels, he said they both share a good sense of humour and 鈥渨e both enjoy having a good time with loved ones and friends.鈥�

It鈥檚 the differences between them, he said, that are motivating him to test himself and grow as an actor.

He鈥檚 never done a dark comedy before, and finds the new role challenging. But at the same time, he said, it鈥檚 incredibly rewarding, especially under the direction of fellow Langleyite Ellie King.

Arsenic and Old Lace, which had three showings in New Westminster last weekend, will be shown two more times closer to home 鈥� at the 性视界传媒 Arts Centre, 13750 88th Ave., this Friday and Saturday.

Shaun said he鈥檚 looking forward to it, his uncle, step-father, and brother are expected to be in the audience.

鈥淭he show will split your sides and rupture your spleen. It鈥檚 a dark comedy you don鈥檛 want to miss,鈥� he said, attempting to convince other theatre goers to attend this weekend鈥檚 showings.

鈥淵ou鈥檒l be totally entertained. I think you鈥檒l enjoy every minute of it,鈥� Shaun concluded.

Tickets are available online at tickets.surrey.ca or by calling the box office at 604-501-5566.