14 to 21 October 2006

The Memory of Water

by Shelagh Stephenson

directed by Alex McQuillen-Wright

An Olivier Award winner in 2000, this play is black comedy at its best. Not only is it pant-wettingly funny, but its many layers reveal some heart-breaking and poignant truths.

Three sisters return to their mother’s home for her funeral. Workaholic Mary, controlling Teresa and lippy, dippy Catherine are joined by Teresa’s husband Frank and Mary’s boyfriend Mike. Squabbles, resentments and long-buried secrets emerge alongside memories that differ as much as the sisters themselves.

As they all struggle to cope, their relationships reveal “what normal people do in abnormal times” and chime with us in a very recognisable way.

Review