The Memory of Water

Synopsis

In Shelagh Stephenson's funny and poignant play, three sisters, Teresa, Mary and Catherine return to the family home for their mother's funeral. In her bedroom, surrounded by the odds and ends of their mother's life and trying to come to terms with her death, old scars and rivalries surface buried family secrets revealed. The Memory of Water is a moving and richly comic examination of family life and bereavement. As sisters confront each other, their memories and their mother's ghost, they move toward a sort of acceptance and understanding. Winner of 2000 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Our Review:

22 May 2010

Oldham Coliseum’s production of The Memory of Water tells the story of three sisters who find themselves back at their childhood home following the death of their mother. The night before the funeral sees the sisters reliving happy times but also sees some deeply buried memories brought to the surface, much to the pain and suffering of each sister.

The action all takes place in the dead mother’s bedroom where it becomes apparent that the sisters all have very different personalities. Teresa (Eva Pope) is very much the home bird and the sister that looked after the mother, Vi (Emma Gregory) until her death. Feeling the weight of responsibility, she feels somewhat hard done to that she has remained in some way responsible for her mother while her sisters have been able to go off and lead their own lives. Her husband Frank (Tim Treslove) is often away working and Teresa is lonely.

Meanwhile, Mary (Maeve Larkin...

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Latest User Review

Philip Barclay - 6 June 2010:

A very well observed play, which clearly encapsulates the three central characters memories of their childhood, their relationships with their recently deceased mother and their relationships with each other. Set immediately before a funeral, the play mixes grief with comedic light relief, allowing each of the actors to work through a wide range of emotions. All the actors are superb. Eva Pope has demonstrated her wonderful acting talent as lead in many BBC television series and it is a treat to see her on stage at the Coliseum....

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