anyone seen Memory of Water?
Thu, 22 Nov 2001, 05:50 pmLinda7 posts in thread
anyone seen Memory of Water?
Thu, 22 Nov 2001, 05:50 pmI'd love to read someone's review. I'm SM and I think the acting's marvellous (and of course the stage management is terrific) so come and see it and let everyone know what you think.
RE: anyone seen Memory of Water?
Fri, 30 Nov 2001, 10:25 amWalter Plinge
I had the pleasure of seeing this show last Friday evening and laughed harder than I have for a long time. Bit slow with the feedback sorry guys but small child and time permitting...
As I concur with most of what gordy wrote, I'm using his review as cheat notes.
gordon the optom wrote:
-------------------------------
"It is always sad to see the cast or crew of a show having to ASK for feedback to their production - especially when the show is one of the best in Perth this year."
I agree there should be more constructive review from one's peers without having to resort to rib prodding.
"This story, 'The Memory of Water' (what an uninspiring name - almost offputting!)..."
I expressed the same concern to members of the cast and crew on the evening I saw it. Certainly not the fault of those involved but the name just doesn't conjure any imagery at all and therefore promotes little interest. I could see the relevance once it was explained and it was rather a neat, pertinent reference but a bit osbsure to balance the whole appeal of the play upon.
"The direction of Warrick Bailey was superb. It was inventive and captured the 'moments' in a way that would have made the author proud."
Loved the natural appeal of those "special moments" especially the girls dressing up in their Mum's clothes - by far one of the funniest scenes I've held my sides together over in a while.
"The acting started a little slow...."
I thought it was a tenative start. Always difficult to begin the "action" in bed...unless there's two in the bed! Quite liked the eerie lighting accompanying the presence of Mum but intially there wasn't the energy in the performers to back it up.
Casting of the three sisters was great and I have to comment on the uncanny rememblance between Mum and Mary. Bev Lawrence played, once again, the in-control-but-secretly-not character and while she certainly portrayed the successful Mary to a tee I would love to see Bev playing a role more like Shirley's which I think would be ultimately more rewarding in the challenge. Shirley Welch was brilliant (I'm sorry I can't remember the character's name) and the contrast between the tight laced stereotype at the outset and the "real" person we saw later was wonderful. Her drunk scene was something to behold. The third sister (memory's really failing now) was also excellent but I would have liked to have seen a bit more sincerity in her contrast scene. I felt that I wanted to sympathise but wasn't given the impetus. Still an appealing performance.
Sorry guys but the ladies have outdone you! I appreciated the understated approach taken by both chaps but the girls got most of the good lines huh? I was impressed by Michael's chilly act when he first enters and also by the lovely pink tone of his skin when he comes back from his bath. Quite authentic. I'm a pendant for that sort of stuff.
Thought the set was tremendous with "real" snow outside the curtained bay window giving the ultimate in atmosphere. Enjoyed some of the lighting effects although I think there were a few unintentionals crept in that night. Stage management was flawless as far as I was concerned and there was quite a bit of setting and clearing up to do on more than one occasion.
Overall this play is very, very engaging. Lovely easy flowing script and for the most part, comfortable acting, contribute to a tremendously enjoyable evening. For fear of being lambasted as "un-pc" I have to say it is a bit of a "girlie" play but I love a good laugh and I had lots them at "The Memory of Water".
As I concur with most of what gordy wrote, I'm using his review as cheat notes.
gordon the optom wrote:
-------------------------------
"It is always sad to see the cast or crew of a show having to ASK for feedback to their production - especially when the show is one of the best in Perth this year."
I agree there should be more constructive review from one's peers without having to resort to rib prodding.
"This story, 'The Memory of Water' (what an uninspiring name - almost offputting!)..."
I expressed the same concern to members of the cast and crew on the evening I saw it. Certainly not the fault of those involved but the name just doesn't conjure any imagery at all and therefore promotes little interest. I could see the relevance once it was explained and it was rather a neat, pertinent reference but a bit osbsure to balance the whole appeal of the play upon.
"The direction of Warrick Bailey was superb. It was inventive and captured the 'moments' in a way that would have made the author proud."
Loved the natural appeal of those "special moments" especially the girls dressing up in their Mum's clothes - by far one of the funniest scenes I've held my sides together over in a while.
"The acting started a little slow...."
I thought it was a tenative start. Always difficult to begin the "action" in bed...unless there's two in the bed! Quite liked the eerie lighting accompanying the presence of Mum but intially there wasn't the energy in the performers to back it up.
Casting of the three sisters was great and I have to comment on the uncanny rememblance between Mum and Mary. Bev Lawrence played, once again, the in-control-but-secretly-not character and while she certainly portrayed the successful Mary to a tee I would love to see Bev playing a role more like Shirley's which I think would be ultimately more rewarding in the challenge. Shirley Welch was brilliant (I'm sorry I can't remember the character's name) and the contrast between the tight laced stereotype at the outset and the "real" person we saw later was wonderful. Her drunk scene was something to behold. The third sister (memory's really failing now) was also excellent but I would have liked to have seen a bit more sincerity in her contrast scene. I felt that I wanted to sympathise but wasn't given the impetus. Still an appealing performance.
Sorry guys but the ladies have outdone you! I appreciated the understated approach taken by both chaps but the girls got most of the good lines huh? I was impressed by Michael's chilly act when he first enters and also by the lovely pink tone of his skin when he comes back from his bath. Quite authentic. I'm a pendant for that sort of stuff.
Thought the set was tremendous with "real" snow outside the curtained bay window giving the ultimate in atmosphere. Enjoyed some of the lighting effects although I think there were a few unintentionals crept in that night. Stage management was flawless as far as I was concerned and there was quite a bit of setting and clearing up to do on more than one occasion.
Overall this play is very, very engaging. Lovely easy flowing script and for the most part, comfortable acting, contribute to a tremendously enjoyable evening. For fear of being lambasted as "un-pc" I have to say it is a bit of a "girlie" play but I love a good laugh and I had lots them at "The Memory of Water".