From the three mysterious 'Fates' of Greek mythology and the howling witches of Macbeth, to Chekhov's Three Sisters, the relationship between sisters has always fascinated writers. Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water is a wise and funny addition to that illustrious history of sister literature. The play illustrates the ebb and flow of emotion and the ever-changing alliances between the sisters as they try to come to terms with each other and the death of their mother. The unusual title derives from a scientific observation that water may have a form of memory in that, when a curative element is added to it and then removed, the water retains healing properties although there is no longer any trace of the drug itself. Each sister holds distinct memories of their collective childhoods, each has her own perspective and interpretation of what these memories mean. The Memory of Water was first presented in London in 1998, where it received unqualified rave reviews and, in 2000, won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy. The London Sunday Times said, "Shelagh Stephenson's writing is barbed, lyrical, witty & full of a rare emotional intelligence", and the Independent called it, "Wickedly funny and moving." The play contains some strong language. The Memory of Water will be performed at 7.30pm in the Unicorn Theatre, Medieval Abbey Buildings, Abingdon, Wed 21 – Sat 24 September 2005. Ticketline: (01235) 524538 or on the door. | 
