The Memory of Water at Liverpool Everyman Theatre Review
Helen Flanagan, Polly Lister and Victoria Brazier. Image: Pamela Raith
Written by Roby for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Content warnings: Sexual content, strong language, and drug references.
Shelagh Stephenson’s Olivier Award winning comedy ‘The Memory of Water’ follows three sisters on the eve of their mum’s funeral. This co-production by the Octagon Theatre Bolton and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse is a powerful, yet also witty exploration of family and grief backed by a talented cast.
Lotte Wakeham (assisted by Dominique Reid) has directed the show well. It generally feels genuine and raw, perfectly encapsulating family chaos. The first half does this particularly well but then the writing takes a turn in the second half and becomes much heavier. As a result, the pace slows, the chaos reduces, and one is left to question how this won an award for being a “comedy”. This is through no fault of the direction or the cast, but simply the writing which at times lacks the pacy nature a comedy should have. The sections of comedy that are in the show, however, are hilarious. The humour is brilliantly witty and was well-received by the audience. For a show that is 30 years old, the material rarely feels dated.
The cast’s performances throughout the show are great. Victoria Brazier plays Teresa well, especially when her character loosens up in the second half. Helen Flanagan’s performance as Catherine is good, but at times can feel a bit one-note or somewhat forced. It is Polly Lister as Mary, however, who steals the show. Her performance is brilliant – showcasing strong emotional range and gripping the audience.
I really enjoyed how Vi (played by Vicky Binns) bookended each half of the show, but at times did wish we saw her character more, even if she was just observing the scene. I understood why she was in the show but didn’t understand why she was in it for so little; it almost felt like an afterthought that was thrown in during the show’s last draft.
Katie Scott’s set and costume design work well throughout the show, and the intimate nature of the Everyman Theatre really immerses you within the familial nature of the piece. Laura Howard’s lighting design was nice and was particularly poignant during Vi’s appearances, bringing a profound sense of warmth and life into the room. Howard’s lighting design was simplistic, yet extremely effective.
I must also commend the Everyman & Playhouse for always making theatre so accessible. This press night performance was captioned, and the theatre are also offering BSL, audio described, and enhanced performances before the show closes. The Everyman & Playhouse are certainly leading the way for accessible theatre within Merseyside, which is brilliant to see.
Overall, whilst it might not flow as fast as a waterfall, ‘The Memory of Water’ is an enjoyable watch that provokes a rollercoaster of emotions. With strong performances from its entire cast and some nice design elements, I would certainly recommend you watch this before it closes at the Liverpool Everyman on 14th March 2026.
★★★★
