Memory of Water - May 2014 Gallery
NODA Review
A death in the family is a difficult and emotional time, evoking many, sometimes strange, reactions. Shelagh Stephenson's sensitive, yet witty, play "The Memory of Water" deals with the quite different feelings of bereavement, grief, memory and loss experienced by three sisters on the death of their mother, but manages to draw out the humour through her well-scripted dialogue.
The sisters, estranged after several years separation, are gathered at their former family home for the funeral of their mother, Vi, who has just died. Their differing recollections of their childhood, their mother's influence on their up-bringing and their individual life experiences, all combine to create tensions, which finally overspill.
Kathy Walsh provided us with a sensitive and impassioned performance as Mary, the middle sister, who is deeply troubled by the memory of the son she had as a teenager and is desperate to find out what happened to him after her mother had arranged for his adoption. Her "conversations" with her mother Vi's ghost, delightfully played by Sue Wetherall, epitomised those suppressed feelings of memory and loss, which so often come to the fore at times of bereavement.
A very plausible performance, too, from Dave Hedigan as Mike, whose affair with Mary is beginning to unravel, following Mary's discovery that, after all, his wife is not an invalid and his callous and selfish reaction to Mary's news that she is pregnant. There was real chemistry between them during the performance, though, just occasionally, Dave's soft brogue prevented his words being clearly heard, which was a pity.
Margaret Stainton delivered a spirited and humorous performance as the eldest sister, Theresa, who has been the principal carer for their mother following Vi's onset of Alzheimer's and has organised all the funeral arrangements. She bickers constantly with her younger siblings over their conflicting memories of their childhood, whilst attempting to protect them from some of the harsher truths and the final, devastating news that Mary's son had died some years earlier. The strain of trying to keep the family together and putting on a brave face finally erupts in her drinking binge, much to the consternation of her harassed and unhappy husband Frank, well-played by Jem Deans.
But Corinna Graham-Hodson's performance as Catherine, the youngest sister, was, for me, the most engaging. Her portrayal of a rebellious, but deeply insecure, young woman, constantly unlucky in love and with deep-rooted feelings of childhood rejection by her older siblings, was both heart-rending and funny.
A pleasingly good representation of Vi's pretty and feminine bedroom had been designed by Mike Smith and crew, complete with double bed, dressing table, wardrobe and chaise-longue. This set provided the backdrop for the entire play and worked well, allowing the actors to use the space to full advantage during the performance, particularly enjoyable during the scene when the sisters sort out and try on their mother's clothes and end up in hysterics.
Occasionally, it's good to choose a play which provides new and challenging opportunities for both performers and audience. Director, Maggie Smith, had certainly emphasised on the positive and more humorous themes in the play and was fortunate to have a talented cast, who brought the individuality of their characters very much alive.