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The Memory of Water

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  4w, 2m

Shelagh Stephenson

In The Memory of Water, three sisters meet on the eve of their mother's funeral. As the conflicts of the past converge, everyday lies and tensions reveal the particular patterns and strains of family relationships.

Please note: available in two editions: in this single play Student Edition, which features the standard text and also study notes and introductory material, or as a standard text edition (exactly the same text as the single play student edition) in a two play volume with Five Kinds of Silence.

The Memory of Water

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
Accolades
Accolades

  • Winner! Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, 2000

Details

Summary

M2 (30s, any age)
F4 (30s-40s)

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    A bedroom

Media

“The dialogue sparkles ... this cracking new work.” - David Nathan, Jewish Chronicle

“ A deeply felt, richly funny study of the pervasive power of the past.” - Michael Billington, Guardian

In The Memory of Water, three sisters meet on the eve of their mother's funeral. As the conflicts of the past converge, everyday lies and tensions reveal the particular patterns and strains of family relationships.

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

Scripts

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Authors

Shelagh Stephenson

Shelagh Stephenson
Shelagh Stephenson: Her first play, THE MEMORY OF WATER, was produced at Hampstead Theatre and subsequently in the West End, where it won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Its American premiere was at Steppenwolf, and it was then seen at Manhattan Theatre Club. Her play AN E ...
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