***** 5 STARS *****
Nostalgic, relatable and real. Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and Octogan Theatre Bolton’s The Memory of Water brings to life Stephenson’s poetic artistry with an array of comedic, heartwarming and grief-tainted moments to showcase the cast’s exceptional skill. Whilst I am an only child, this piece genuinely provides the feeling that you’re part of the family, almost one of the sisters.
Mary, Teresa and Catherine (played by Polly Lister, Victoria Brazier and Helen Flanagan respectively) come together to sort through their late mother’s possessions prior to her funeral after what seems to be some time apart. As the sibling bickering and the demand for control over the landline unfolds, partners Mike and Frank (Charlie De Melo and Reginald Edwards) get caught up in the chaos and disorder before them. Vicky Binns’ appearances as the sisters’ mother, Vi, really brings the whole performance together.
Whilst each and every performer could be justified as giving a stand out performance, I was particularly taken by Lister’s portrayal of Mary. From the moment Lister steps onstage, her energy is magnetic: comedic moments timed to perfection and emotional rendezvous with Vi played so authentically. Mary and Vi’s final conversation towards the end of the play is filled with emotion, creating a closeness to the character, her past and her development, to which Lister’s skills must be accredited. Every performance is sensational but Polly Lister is ultimately the one to watch.
Katie Scott once again provides outstanding set and costume design for this piece, transporting the audience directly back to 1996. The bedroom set is decorated with tiny details that can be studied for days, revealing more and more about the sisters and their mother. Pieces with only one set can often become boring, however, Scott has mastered the art of ensuring each element is essential and incorporated into the performance by the actors onstage. Scott’s work helps to entice the audience, locking them into a world, captured by the reality of the action and the environment that it takes place in: the success of the piece can in part be heavily attributed to the world that Scott’s design creates.
This darkly comic piece is one to be seen by all – well-timed, relevant humour, discussions around heavy topics like grief and heavy punching emotional scenes. With a spectacular cast and Wakeham’s detailed direction, it’ll be hard to find another piece that will beat this for a long while.
The Memory of Water plays at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre until Saturday 14th March 2026. You can purchase tickets and find out more information here.
Harley Keasey 
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