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You are > Home > Beat the recession blues with an award winning comedy from Roscommon Drama Group
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Beat the recession blues with an award winning comedy from Roscommon Drama Group
ROSCOMMON DRAMA Group will present the award-winning comedy ‘The Memory of Water’ by Shelagh Stephenson in the Roscommon Arts Centre from Thursday, January 29th to Saturday, January 31st inclusive.
The play is a sharp black comedy, set in the present-day West of Ireland, where three sisters meet on the eve of their mother’s funeral. As the conflicts of the past converge, everyday lies and tensions reveal the patterns and strains of family relationships in scenes of hilarious comedy, biting wit and bittersweet pathos.
Following the death of their mother, Vi, sisters Teresa played by Mary Cox, Mary played by Catriona Duignan and Catherine played by Dymphna Naughten gather in the family home to prepare for her funeral. An attractive woman in her youth, Vi’s troubled marriage and family life has impacted upon her daughters’ characters. Teresa, the oldest, struggles to make the necessary arrangements in the face of her sisters’ indifference and the haplessness of her disgruntled husband, Frank played by Con Connolly. Mary, sleeping in her mother’s bedroom, where the entire play is staged, is troubled by dreams and visions of Vi, played by Clodagh White and by the indecision of her married lover and celebrity TV Doctor, Mike played by Kieran Madden. Youngest daughter, Catherine, funloving and attention-seeking as ever, is frustrated with Teresa’s domineering attitude and Mary’s sharp tongue and by the lack of contact from her Spanish boyfriend.
Grief, guilt and the pressures of the enforced family reunion soon lead to conflict between the sisters. Liberal doses of Whiskey and other medications (some unprescribed!) ease the characters’ stress initially but their influence lead to rows and confrontations, some hilarious, some poignant, all riveting. Teresa’s façade of control soon collapses amid the sibling rivalries, as she ponders the state of her marriage and Health Food business and spills a few home truths about the family history. Mary confronts her past and worries about her future with Mike, who is keeping a few secrets of his own while Frank hasn’t slept in 36 hours and Catherine wonders why her sisters won’t loan her a skirt!
As the mood darkens and the tension mounts within the house, the spectre of a younger, glamorous Vi watches on as a well-hidden family secret is revealed; a secret that will permanently change the sisters’ lives. Winner of the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for best comedy in 2000, ‘The Memory of Water’ was last staged in Roscommon by Skibbereen Theatre Society as part of the 2007 Drama Festival and won second prize in the confined category. Roscommon Drama Group invites audiences to come and enjoy their own unique interpretation of on this not-to-be-missed comedy.
Con Connolly returns to the producer’s chair for the first time since the group’s sold-out production of ‘The Field’ in 2005. Book now to avoid disappointment! Tickets priced at €14 and concessions priced at €12 are available now from the Box Office at the Arts Centre on 090 6625824. Patrons should note that the play contains mild sexual scenes and references, so parental discretion is advisable. The smoking of herbal cigarettes features in some scenes.
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