We review Robin Hood Theatre Company’s latest production, The Memory of Water, at the Robin Hood Theatre in Averham

Few plays manage to pull off a premise that is not only heart-breakingly sad, but also hilariously funny and raise a powerful message at the same time.

But the Robin Hood Theatre Company’s latest production, the poignant comedy The Memory of Water, took to the stage yesterday (April 29) and is now running until Saturday, at the Robin Hood Theatre in Averham — and you need to see it, there’s no two ways about it.

It tells the story of three sisters who gather in their old family home on the Yorkshire coast for their mother’s funeral, and it’s clear from the beginning that they all have their own vices they are struggling with.

Teresa (Faye Hemingway), who lives nearby and runs a health supplements business with her husband Frank (Andrew Beighton), has had to arrange everything as she lives the closest, much to her annoyance which she makes well known.

Mary (Cate Martin), a doctor and the family’s “golden child”, has come from London with her two vices — her married lover Mike (Freddie Cooper) and whisky — while air-headed, self centred Catherine (Sam Kendall) has spent her time shopping and complaining about her medical ailments, without the support of her suspiciously missing Spanish fiancé.

Somewhere in the middle of all this Mary keeps seeing her critical, bordering on narcissistic mother Violet (Rebecca Briggs-Price) as she was 30 years ago — is she a ghost, or a figment of her troubled imagination?

The three lead actresses do such a wonderful job as the bickering sisters, bringing much relatable tension as it’s clear they have little in common and a lot of resentment of each other which simmers below the surface during much of Act 1.

But then the tension boils over as the alcohol and weed provided by Catherine causes some harsh truths and long-held family secrets to be blurted out.

We all have memories of our childhood that we remember clearly, but no-one else does, and we also know how stories can be twisted and exaggerated over the years which is exactly what seems to happen with the sisters.

The intricacies of family politics and the heart-breaking reality of dementia and Alzheimer’s is so cleverly portrayed in this play, the cast under the direction of Geoff Morgan have done such a wonderful job with a very wordy script and emotional premise of the play, and their differing relationships with their mother — which may stir up difficult memories and emotions for the audience.

Tickets costing £14 are available by calling 07733 179986 or via the website www. rhtc.co.uk

This play is simply not to be missed — this reviewer left the theatre feeling emotional and thoughtful, it’s been a long time since a play had this sort of impact on me. — RA