For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again brings laughter

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, a play by Michel Tremblay, opened at Rosebud Theatre on Sept. 13. The play is Tremblay’s memoir of his mother, whom he credits with inspiring and challenging him to be the person he became. This production was directed by Rosebud Theatre’s Artistic Director, Morris Ertman.

Tremblay and his mother are played by real-life mother and son, Karen Johnson-Diamond and Griffin Cork. Johnson-Diamond performs the larger-than-life mother with colour and hilarity. She’s the loud, vibrant, admirable mother each of us knows, even if we didn’t have the privilege of growing up with her. Cork plays Tremblay’s role with heart and artistic precision, conveying his affection and laughter marvellously, with and without words.

They perform the maturing mother-and-son relationship from Tremblay at 10 years old to young adulthood, of a mother creatively scolding her mischievous little boy to sharing her deepest longings with a son who is beginning to achieve some of his own.

Mrs. Tremblay wins our hearts with her love for her son, her exaggerated fears of where his boyish pranks will lead, and her hope for him to become someone greater, something meaningful. 

Cork and Johnson-Diamond’s performance reminds us of the impact of our own mothers, though our own moms might have made their mark in less vivid colour. In this time of societal change and political instability, we need this warm and hilarious reminder that a mother’s impact is deep, lasting and timeless.

For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again plays in matinee and evening shows until Oct. 26 on Rosebud Theatre’s Opera House stage. Theatre tickets include a buffet meal, but may also be purchased without. For evening shows until Oct. 12, Rosebud Theatre is currently offering four tickets for the price of three. For more information or to get tickets, you can call 1-800-267-7553 or visit their website (rosebudtheatre.com).