BIGGAR-BASED actor, James Mackenzie, also known as ‘Raven’ in the popular CBBC children’s TV series, can be seen treading the boards of the Eastgate Theatre when Mull Theatre brings ‘The Drawer Boy’ to Peebles.

James said: ‘It's great to be finishing the tour on my home turf here in the Borders. I grew up in the area and spent many a childhood weekend drowning gracefully at Peebles swimming pool! I now live only 15 minutes away with my wife and two dogs, and often see shows at the Eastgate, which is a great resource for the local community.

“I was part of Mull Theatre’s season some years ago, which set me up perfectly for drama school! But it’s especially good to be in such a great play and one which audiences really seem to love and respond to.

“The play is beautifully written, and surprisingly funny, but lives long in the memory, reminding us of the power of storytelling, friendship, and the thin line between truth and fiction.” James works regularly in Scottish theatre and can often be heard in various radio plays and numerous voice overs on TV and radio. After this tour he becomes the pantomime baddie - Long John Silver, in Treasure Island at the Pavilion in Glasgow.

The Drawer Boy - Funny and moving, Michael Healy’s Canadian tale has become a true modern classic, picking up prestigious awards all around the world since it was first staged in 1999. Words 230 Eastgate Theatre, Peebles : Friday November 7 at 7.30pm Tickets £14 (children £5)