Nottingham Playhouse has revealed the cast for Shelagh Stephenson’s “hilarious and heart-breaking drama” The Memory of Water.
The Olivier Award-winning comedy follows three estranged sisters who return to their childhood home of the eve of their mother’s funeral. They argue and joke as they sort through their mother’s belongings and, as soon as the sisters begin to discover they all remember things differently, a series of “dramatic and devastating revelations” unfolds.
Juliet Cowan will play Teresa, the eldest of the three sisters. She was in The Play About My Dad by Boo Killebrew at Jermyn Street Theatre in 2018.
Katy Stephens, who has taken leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe, plays the sisters’ mother Vi.
Beth Cordingly, who is currently on tour with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Romeo and Juliet, is Mary, while Jasmine Jones takes the role of youngest sister Catherine. The cast is completed by Stewart Wright (Frank) and Nicholas Bailey (Mike).
Adele Thomas who directs said, “the women in The Memory of Water are an amazing trio of messy and funny characters, simultaneously both unlikeable and likeable. Their coming together is complicated but also profoundly human.
“It’s a really beautiful play, the cast are absolutely extraordinary and I’m hugely looking forward to coming to Nottingham to make it.”
Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford added, “ever since it first premièred in the 1990s, The Memory of Water has frequently been produced by theatres around the world as it always proves so popular with audiences.
“Shelagh Stephenson has written a story that’s not only funny and moving, with some gripping plot twists, but also universal. There’s something familiar in the world she’s created that connects with everyone: whether that’s accepting the loss of a parent, sibling rivalry or dealing with the reality of life not turning out the way you planned.
“The fantastic writing has always attracted talented actors with a gift for comedy. Our new production is no exception, with a host of top actors from stage and screen.”
The Memory of Water runs at Nottingham Playhouse from Friday 3 until Saturday 18 May.