IT is not often that we start a review praising lighting and direction but in the opening scene, Vi, played by Jaki Newman is bathed in a colours reminiscent of an Edward Hopper painting. So, credit to Derek Foster (Lighting) and first time director, Jenna Young.

Three sisters; Teresa, Mary and Catherine, come together before their mother’s funeral, each haunted by their own demons. The play focuses on how each sister deals with the death and how it directly affects them.

The three each have different memories of the same events, causing constant bickering about whose memories are true. As the three women get together after years of separation, all their hidden lies and self-betrayals are about to reach the surface.

We found the first half, quite hard going. This was not the actor’s fault. They were all superb (more of that in a mo). Nor the director’s fault. Quite the opposite. Jenna Young really framed the story and gave each actor a platform to tell the story.

It was just one of these moments, when you double check that this was an Olivier award winning play by Shelagh Stephenson. One person’s over-complication is another man’s depth.

However, the second half was much much better. We would particularly like to highlight the portrayl of Teresa by Ginny Elliston. This was the first time that we feel Ginny has had a meaty role like this. She has had other roles for Heath Players and MHP but this really gave her a chance and boy did she shine. Her drunken monologue in the middle of the second half was quite something.

Jane Thompson was equally impressive as Mary. Again, her story is really revealed in the second half. Jane really pulls at the emotions as she seems like the one who has paid for being the chosen one.

The whole play is staged in a bedroom. In many ways, it is a companion piece to Skirmishes by Thompson Promotions.

Becks Vincent shines as the outlandish and chaotic Catherine. An actor could really overplay her hand here but even though she has some great lines, Becks reins it in and is all the more effective for that.

The three sisters are well served by Jim Thompson as Mike. Again, Jim produces a well disciplined, thoughtful performance as a man at a crossroads. Trying to please everyone but ending up pleasing no-one.

Jaki Newman’s Vi is like a mixture between Banquo’s Ghost and Joan Crawford. Again, in the second half, she puts the role of the mother “in perspective”. These are real women with real back stories that have two or more sides. Because life can be complicated and family history, like all history can be nuanced/misunderstood/hard to bear.

Adam Thompson is fast becoming like dear departed Dame Maggie Smith. Somehow, somewhere he seems to get the cracking lines. It is all in the timing and, well, the acting.

This was Jenna Young’s first tilt at directing. This was a brave choice and she should be praised for bringing you the very best in the actors. Like Skirmishes, you went away, thinking about family and all that entails. And at times, that is what theatre should be about. It may be Friday morning but this reviewer is still thinking about this play.

May we take this opportunity to praise the new chairs of the Heath Players, Joanne Gladstone and Christina Waites. They have big shows to fill but we think they have made a very confident start.

The Memory of Water continues November 1st and 2nd.

Full details below.

https://www.heathplayers.org