When Philip meets Mildred, the alluring tea-shop waitress, he’s head-over-heels smitten. Mildred, for all her teasing, isn’t all that interested in Philip, but rather in his attention and his possessions. The power dynamics between them are hard at play; while Philip’s dependence on Mildred places him in the palm of her hand, Mildred’s emotional bond to Philip may be stronger than she lets on. Of Human Bondage is an epic story of lust, unrequited love, and the pursuit of beauty.

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada's most produced playwrights. His plays have been seen across Canada, the UK, United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, and have been translated into five languages. His works include Of Human Bondage, Vimy, Einstein's Gift (Governor General's Literary Award winner), Lenin's Embalmers (Governor General's Literary Award finalist), Apple, and Shakespeare's Will. He has been produced off-Broadway five times. Vern is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Dora and Sterling awards for Outstanding New Play, The Carol Bolt Award, the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award, the City of Edmonton Arts Achievement Award, the University of Alberta Alumni Award of Excellence, The Canadian Jewish Playwriting Competition, and the Governor General's Literary Award for Drama, Canada's highest honour for a playwright. He was also a finalist for the Siminovich Prize in Playwriting. Vern received his B.A. from the University of Winnipeg and an M.F.A. from the University of Alberta. He has served as president of both the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Writers Guild of Alberta. For six years he served as Artistic Director of Workshop West Playwrights Theatre, one of Canada's leading new play companies. He is married to acclaimed screenwriter and novelist Susie Moloney.

Vern Thiessen's profile page

“Thiessen’s dramatization is the best and cleverest possible.” —Robert Cushman, National Post

“A rich and beautifully rendered story.” —Evan Andrew Mackay, Post City Toronto

“There is the shimmer of sheer greatness over much of Vern Thiessen’s adaptation of Of Human Bondage.” —Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star