Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson unites humour and tragedy into a play that brings tears of laughter and sadness, says Michael Rawluk, who is directing the play for the Studio Theatre production starting its two-week run Wednesday evening.
Memory of Water stars Shawna Sutherland as Vi, Kathy MacDonald as Mary, Heather Goodall as Teresa, Tanya Isnardy as Catherine, Curt Sprickerhoff as Mike, and Randy Morgan as Frank.
In the play sisters Teresa, Mary and Catherine have come together for their mother’s funeral after a lengthy separation.
The women reflect on their childhoods and each has a very different memory of the same event.
The women look upon their shared childhood from different points of view, and their memories often differ greatly.
To complicate the story, the three sisters each have totally different relationships with the men in their lives.
Memory of Water asks the questions, What makes us who we are? If our memories dissolve and fall away, do we remain?
The play also deals with the very special properties of water.
It’s one of the strongest substances there is, most powerful, but it’s very fluid at room temperature.
It is the only substance that exists naturally in the three forms of solid, liquid and gas. And it does some almost mystical things.
Water is a necessity of life and yet well over a billion people have no access to clean drinking water.
It has been documented that nearly 10,000 children die each day as a result of illness contracted by the use of unclean drinking water.
Memory of Water is on stage at the Studio Theatre May 11 to 14 and May 18 to 21.
Tickets are available at About Face Photography.