posted 2nd September 2024
About the Production
Whilst a death in the family brings much sadness, particularly when it is someone one is close to, there are a range of other emotions which come into play such as regret, guilt and emptiness which have to be interspersed with the mundanity of funeral arrangements, competing family interests, inheritance and what to do with the loved one’s remains.
As family and friends gather to celebrate the life of the dear departed, reminiscences are shared about childhood, significant events and stories. It may well be the case that the venue of a family holiday, or the year so and so got married might be the subject of lively debate. Perceptions and recollections of the same events inevitably differ between individuals.
‘The Memory of Water’ gives the audience a snapshot of these events as Vi’s family gather to attend her funeral. Teresa the eldest daughter, has been left with the bulk of the responsibility as she has been the local family member, supporting Vi as her health declined. Her husband Frank has been away on business and is therefore absent, physically and emotionally, in the run up to the funeral. She takes her role seriously, finding comfort in the natural remedies she and Frank sell. Youngest sister Catherine is a free spirit, untroubled by thoughts of anyone but herself and desperate to find love and appreciation. She irritates her sisters as she parades her insecurities, attempting to comfort herself in a mass of unwise and unaffordable purchases, with one eye on the telephone. Then there is Mary the middle sister, trying to sleep in her dead mother’s bed. She was the clever and confident one and is a successful Doctor. Yet she is disturbed by Vi’s appearance in her thoughts and dreams. She has questions for her mother. She needs answers about the past. As for the future she has pinned her hopes of happiness on married TV Celebrity Doctor, Mike. Will he be able to give her all that she wants?
Shelagh Stephenson has cleverly wrapped her story in a witty and yet at times poignant script as the events leading up to the funeral unfold. Her characters are believable and their conversations, at times at times peppered with strong language, are recognisable exchanges between families thrown together at a time of emotional turmoil.
Inevitably such a piece will evoke thoughts of our own departed loved ones. My theatre loving mother would have enjoyed it. She would always insist on sitting in the front row for productions I was involved in. Maybe she is with us tonight.
Clare Philbrock
Director
Cast and Crew
Company
Mary…………………………...... Kate Wannell
Vi………………………………........ Chris Eilbeck
Teresa………………………..... Helen Rushton
Catherine…………………... Becky Davies
Mike…………………………....... Ian Potts
Frank…………………………......Howard Eilbeck
Production Team
Director…………………………………………........................……. Clare Philbrock
Assistant Director and Stage Manager… Janine Warre
Assistant Director………………………………................... Keith Palmer
Production Manager……………………..............……… Maggie Butt
Design, Set and Publicity………...........…………….. Phil Keen
Props and Furniture………………..............……………. Janine Warre
Costumes…………………………………...................…….……. Clare Philbrock and Janine Warre
Lighting Designer………...............………………….……….Peter Tapp
Lighting and Sound Operator…….....……….…..Alan Caig
Special Constructions…………………..........……….. Maurice Webb
Photography………………………………….................…….. Clare Philbrock and Angela Wallwork
Front of House Team led by………….......……… Clare Philbrock
Review
The Memory of Water
This was our first visit to watch the Estuary Players perform and it won’t be the last! The Memory of Water wasn’t a play we were familiar with which is surprising as it was first performed in 1996. This was Shelagh Stephenson’s first stage play. The action takes place over a twenty-four-hour period during which the audience is invited to watch as three sisters gather together for their mother, Vi’s, funeral. They are joined later by Mary’s boyfriend and Teresa’s husband. Although the play is some twenty-three years old it still feels very fresh and modern. On Friday evening we were treated to a well written play and an excellent production. As fellow theatre goers will know only too well – the former doesn’t always guarantee the latter.
The programme notes were helpful and gave just enough information to set the scene without giving too much away. The curtains were open on arrival giving us an opportunity to have a ‘nose’ around Vi’s bedroom before the play commenced. I had a surprise when I suddenly noticed there was a body already on stage in the bed! The actor in the bed didn’t move a muscle and I wondered if it might be the deceased but once the play got underway all became clear. Well done Kate for remaining so very still for all that time. I was impressed by the set which was well constructed, furnished and dressed to effectively create Vi’s rather dated bedroom - particularly impressive as the Players do not have the luxury of their own premises.
What a great idea to have ‘the undertaker’ – complete with artificial hand (a character referred to but not seen in the play) greet us all and give the ‘notices’. Also, to have the undertaker and his assistant carry the coffin on whilst the lights were dimmed before Act Two Scene Three.
I loved the choice of Nat King Cole’s ‘Unforgettable’ as the opening music – it was a perfect choice and immediately created the right atmosphere.
The play was well cast – not always achievable in amateur theatre but it certainly enhances the audience’s enjoyment of the play when the actors look and sound convincing as the characters they are playing. From the outset we knew we were in safe, experienced, hands and were in for a good evening. Every member of the cast played their parts well and were entirely believable. I didn’t see anyone drop out of character for a second. Kate, Helen and Becky had the most work to do and gave particularly fine performances as the three, very different, sisters. This was a proper drama with the humour arising out of the absurdity of the situation and personalities of the characters – it was perfectly pitched and played for real rather than for laughs which made it all the funnier. It flowed beautifully from the comic to the tragic and back again with none of the awkward moments you sometimes get when an audience don’t realise in time that the mood has changed.
There were so many wonderful moments in the production – including:
- The ‘girls’ slowly getting slightly stoned and trying on their mother’s clothes whilst supposedly sorting them out. It was hilarious – and technically very skilled.
- The reactions of the other four characters when Catherine was delivering her wonderful monologue in Act two Scene two – a joy to watch – each one entirely in character.
- Teresa’s gradual decline into complete intoxication – very well executed, avoiding the temptation to overplay it and making it very believable.
- The tussle for the tin between Teresa and Catherine – another lovely example where they were able to take us seamlessly from comedy to tragedy.
The costumes were all perfect and the sprinkling of snow on the men when they arrived was very effective. I thought the ending of the play with Vi appearing at the French windows face to face with Mary worked very well and was better artistically (and was certainly more practical) than the ending as scripted with the curtains billowing into the room with a flurry of snow drifting in! The strains of Nat King Cole brought the evening to a close and by this time the audience were aware of the significance of his music to the characters.
The choice of a well written play is a good starting point but it takes a talented team of director, actors and crew to turn it into something special. Thank you, Estuary Players, for an excellent production and a very enjoyable evening. We’ll be back!
Pat Peters
