The Memory of Water at Hampstead Theatre

Mary, Catherine and Teresa are sisters who think they share a common past. A world of disputed bicycles, midnight ice-cream sodas, Mum’s cocktail dresses and perfumed advice – a seaside childhood punctuated by the odd monosyllable from Dad. But where does reality end and family myth begin? Why has war broken out in Mother’s bedroom – and why is Vi, so recently deceased, still with us?

The Memory of Water is a tale of grief, family ties, and the relationship with memory.  It is a relatable, humourous, and yet poignant show which questions just how much we can rely on our own memories and perspective of life events.  As the middle sister of three, I can certainly relate to how these three sisters interact when back in their childhood home in stressful circumstances.  It felt familiar, and the dialogue is impressive in just how naturalistic it is.  The push and pull of a family who loves each other and yet knows exactly how to push each other’s buttons is great to watch.  It’s a clash of personalities of a family coming together in hard times while dealing with their own life going on behind the scenes, and slipping into old habits of their childhood dynamics.

Memory is a constant theme, from hidden memories, kept secret from other family members, to dealing with the lack of memories due to Alzheimer’s, to memories that are so often misremembered.  They are often argued over, missing, falsified, or ignored throughout this performance, and it shows just how often they are important to us.

The humor, peppered throughout this play during the grief and stress of family life after the death of a family member comes at unexpected times and really takes the audience off guard.  Often you find yourself laughing at the absurdity of the circumstances of the family dynamic.

25 years after this play initially premiered at the Hampstead Theatre The Memory of Water is a tale of a family on the edge with unreliable memories is a must-see.  The Memory of Water is on at the Hampstead Theatre until the 16th of October, tickets start from £18 and can be booked from the Hampstead Theatre website.

Tickets were gifted in exchange for a review, all words and opinions are my own