The Memory of Water
by Shelagh Stephenson

Directed by Barry McKenna

Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2B, Østerbro
29-31 May and 2-7 June 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
 

Shelagh Stephenson's tragi-comedy has all the wit of Ayckbourn combined with the depth of Strindberg. The play is set on the eve of an old lady's funeral at her home somewhere on the cliffs near Whitby in the north-east of England. The house is gradually crumbling and falling into the sea. Her three daughters have assembled to lay her to rest, and come face-to-face with the past and the events that have shaped their volatile relationships. As the women are forced into close proximity, the black comedy unfolds.

The two men, the eldest sister's husband and the middle sister's lover, are thrown into a den of fighting cats. The men try, each in his own way, to defuse the situation but only manage to contribute to the chaos. The youngest daughter is permanently trying to catch her older sisters' attention but feels, as in childhood, she is still being left out.

Ever present is the pristine ghost of their mother, 40 years younger, carefree and unconcerned. She is the poison that has penetrated their existence. It is said that water has a memory, and no matter how much a poison is filtered out it still retains a trace of the original toxin. But in its diluted form the arsenic becomes a curative. Perhaps it is this they all needed in order to purge themselves.

** Winner of the 2000 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Comedy **

Tickets are kr. 100 (kr. 80 for students under 18, pensioners and groups of 10 or more)
Tickets may be reserved by phone on 3976 3680, at info@ctcircle.dk or on-line HERE.