anyone seen Memory of Water?

I'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.

I'm currently in N. Zealand and was hoping to read a review of the play too! Judging by the advance bookings before I left lots of people have seen it. did you all like it??????????

I only directed it - but its a brand new play, only released this year - picked it up in London in April - and as far as I know this is the first time its been seen in Perth. Won the Olivier award for best comedy last year. Some good reviews and comments on the web. Would love someone to comment on our production as its the last I will be doing in Perth. After 30 odd years at the Old Mill I'm off with wife and family to Queensland - new pastures, new experiences.

Thanks to all those theatrebuffs in Perth who have worked with me, directed me, been in my productions and encouraged me over the years. Loved working with you all. Keep up the good work - amateur theatre in Perth is thriving, long may it do so.

Warrick Bailey

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.

This story, 'The Memory of Water' (what an uninspiring name - almost offputting!) which won the Lawrence Olivier Prize for the best play of the year, is about three sisters returning home for their mother's, Vi, funeral. It is beautifully written, full of humour, mayhem, tradgedy and situations which most patrons will say 'been there, done that!'

The direction of Warrick Bailey was superb. It was inventive and captured the 'moments' in a way that would have made the author proud.

The acting started a little slow with Vi (sorry, but the weakest link - but perhaps just having a poor night), but after a couple of minutes the three sisters took off with their sibling rivallry.

Mary the brainy child (Bev Lawrence, who was so good in Shirley Valentine), Theresa her older sister, who believes in all things herbal (Shirley Welch - an import from Kalamunda) and Catherine the hippy bimbo (Kathryn Clare - another newcomer to the Old Mill) were all PERFECTLY portrayed. Their parts called for humour and mayhem - their timing perfect. Tears and a huge range of emotions, all performed without fault.

The husband and lover(Peter Bloor and Mike Taylor) could easily have hammed their parts up and ruined the whole effect. Instead they just looked confused and agog - with the result that they were spot on, and so reflected the audience's amazement at what was going on.

The Old Mill productions are famous for quality, and the fabulous set looked like a real room. The snow falling outside was amazing - how did you do it? The sound effects spot on. The lighting - although very well lit, was operated with slight 'apprehension'.

This was a night to remember, and a show that would even draw me back for a second time in a week.

Very many congratulations to all. Take your friends and be impressed.

It goes against the grain to review anonymously, but necessity dictates!!!

I agree with everything that Gordon wrote. It was a splendid production, in the main very well acted, beautifully set and lit. I was a little bit disappointed in Mother who I felt could have been less aggressive, and at the time I thought the two blokes were weak. On reflection, however, they were perfect foils for the girls. I have been a fan of Shirley Welch since I saw her in R & G at Darlington, and she did not let me down this time. Her drunk scene was something to behold.

Gordon, I suspect the reason Old Mill has had to ask for a review is because they are on of the unfashionable "south of the river" clubs that does not have fawning comments written by their own members!

I would recommend this production to anyone

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:
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"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".

ANON wrote:
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"It goes against the grain to review anonymously, but necessity dictates!!!"

WHY? Are you afraid of receiving some negative publicity? If you offer constructive criticism you will receive the same. If you give glib comments...

"Gordon, I suspect the reason Old Mill has had to ask for a review is because they are on of the unfashionable "south of the river" clubs that does not have fawning comments written by their own members!"
Tisk, tisk ANON. I would firstly flick that chip off your shoulder and secondly address your jealous attitude to other clubs which may have more active online members than does the Old Mill. It could be as simple as that. How about putting a request for audience feedback in your programme?


Thou lumpish rump-fed dewberry!