Home | Shows | Past Productions | 2023 season | THE MEMORY OF WATER
Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Shelagh Stephenson’s poignant and painfully funny comedy is about conflicting memories, life and loss. A beautiful bittersweet comedy, bound by sisterly love, anger, tears and of course laughter.
- Playwright Shelagh Stephenson
- Director Rachel Chant
- Cast of 6 includes Michala Banas
Thomas Campbell
Nicole Da Silva
Jo Downing
Madeleine Jones
Johnny Nasser - Set & Costume Designer Veronique Benett
- Lighting Designer Kelsey Lee
- Composer & Sound Designer David Bergman
- Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
- Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director Nigel Poulton
- Stage Manager Lauren Tulloh
- Assistant Stage Manager Alexis Worthing
- Costume Supervisor Renata Beslik
- Wig Stylist Lauren Proietti
- Costume Maker Margaret Gill
- 20 Oct 2023 - 25 Nov 2023
- 2hrs 30mins (including interval)
- Recommended for ages 14+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Strong Language, Drug Use, Sexual References
Overview
Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Shelagh Stephenson’s poignant and painfully funny comedy is about conflicting memories, life and loss.
Mary, Catherine and Teresa are sisters who share a common past. A world of disputed bicycles, midnight ice-cream sodas, cocktail dresses and their Mum’s perfumed advice. A seaside childhood punctuated by the odd monosyllable from Dad.
Where does reality end and family mythology begin? Why has sibling war broken out in their Mother’s bedroom? Why are past recollections still so with us?
THE MEMORY OF WATER takes a new look at the age-old traditions of recollecting family stories. A beautiful bittersweet comedy, bound by sisterly love, anger, tears and of course laughter.
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| SINGLE TICKETS | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $75 | $80 |
| SENIORS CARD | $72 | $77 |
| PENSIONER | $68 | $73 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $38 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $38 | $43 |
| MEAA/AWG | $38 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
| GROUP 10-19 | $72 | $77 |
| GROUP 20+ | $68 | $73 |
Reviews
“a wonderfully claustrophobic lolly pink confection of satin sheets and seashell lights (set Veronique Benett).” The Sydney Morning Herald
★ ★ ★ ★ ½ “an incredible performance from a very accomplished cast. Providing tears of laughter and sorrow throughout, this show is certainly worth a watch.” Musical Theatre AU
“deeply felt, richly funny” Stage Whispers
★ ★ ★ ★ “pain and poignancy delicately balanced throughout and the acting performances are riveting” Limelight
“Rachel Chant and her team have constructed an effective and emotional piece of theatre that leaves you satisfied.” Arts Hub
"A highly entertaining and slightly morbid sisterly journey that will leave you crying tears of laughter and sadness all in the same scene" Theatre Thoughts
“colourful and dynamic, full of surprises” Suzy Goes
“laugh-out-loud lines, and some extremely comic scenes” Megaphone Oz
“Rachel Chant has brought Stephenson’s play – first produced 27 year years ago – to renewed vibrant, funny, poignant life” Carol Wimmer
★ ★ ★ ★ “The script is still sharp in its observations, and with this cast it flows perfectly.” Cultural Binge
Cast & Creatives
Shelagh Stephenson
Playwright
Rachel Chant
Director
Michala Banas
Cast
Thomas Campbell
Cast
Nicole Da Silva
Cast
Jo Downing
Cast
Madeleine Jones
Cast
Johnny Nasser
Cast
Veronique Benett
Set & Costume Designer
Kelsey Lee
Lighting Designer
David Bergman
Composer & Sound Designer
Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Dialect Coach
Nigel Poulton
Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director
Lauren Tulloh
Stage Manager
Alexis Worthing
Assistant Stage Manager
Renata Beslik
Costume SupervisorSpecial performances
Audio Described
- Thu 16 Nov 11am
- Sat 18 Nov 3.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Fri 3 Nov 8pm
- Tue 7 Nov 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 22 Nov 7.30pm
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM
Discover more about THE MEMORY OF WATER with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including writer’s and director’s notes, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more.