Michel Tremblay’s For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again is written with wit, humour, and compassion by a mature and confident playwright. Tremblay unveils the magical relationship he enjoyed with his enchanting frustrating and delightful mother. Ellen David was spectacular as the iconic mama and her performance was a fabulous tour de force. She gave the role its humour and poignancy with such grace and ability, the audience was laughing and crying at the same time.
Linda Gaboriau has rendered a flawless translation and the magical tit for tat in the dialogue was scintillating. This is an outstanding translation, and made the performances beautiful. There is a monologue mid-way through which is a brilliant meditation of the relationship of the performer and the audience. It is a measure of Gaboriau’s genius that it was spellbinding. Ellen David had this brilliant text, and she performed it with a delicacy which took one’s breath away.
Emmanuel Schwartz held his own in his moments with Ellen David and was lovely in the physicalization created by director Alice Ronfard. He slid and slipped around an old fashioned kitchen chair creating the impression of a narrator with moves. His interaction with David enhanced what is a delightful play about the complex and fascinating relationship of this mother and son. There were a great many laughs during the scene where he is arguing against the schmaltzy melodramatic novels his mother adores. His ability to make years pass with a gesture and a toss of his head was delightful.
Set designer Gabriel Tsampalieros created a superb minimalist set that embodied the metaphor of the mirror. The framing of the stage was inspired, and gave the play a perfect visual co-relative.
If you go to see one play this year you would be wise to choose this one.
For the Pleasure of Seeing her Again is at the Centaur Theatre Company (453 St. François-Xavier) from May 13 to June 1. Tickets available HERE.
