The Memory Of Water At Octagon Bolton Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Dottie Rood

I had never visited the Octagon Theatre before so was looking forward to experiencing it while watching The Memory of Water. The Memory of Water is a comedy written by Shelagh Stephenson that premiered in 1996, this version, which is celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Memory of Water, is still set in that same era.

When Shelagh Stephenson was asked why she wanted to write The Memory of Water she was quoted as saying, “I wanted to write about the slipperiness of memory and the heightened, contradictory emotions which are released when you lose a parent.” (found on Google) The dark comedy, The Memory of Water was said to be written by Shelagh Stephenson shortly after the death of her own mother in the mid-1990s.

We ate at the Octagon Theatre Kitchen & Bar café first and we were delighted with the very comprehensive menu, which included starters, light bites, main meals, desserts and specials plus a variety of both alcoholic and non-acholic drinks, at reasonable prices with very helpful and pleasant staff.

The Octagon theatre is in the centre of Bolton with good transport links and parking close by, it was originally opened by HRH Princess Margaret in 1967 and after a number of ‘developments’, the last as recently as 2018, it re-opened again in 2021. It has a very modern feel to it, and this continues when stepping into the ‘Octagon’ shaped seating area! This auditorium can hold 320 to 390 people and as the stage is in the middle (well nearly, there is no seating at the back of the action) there is a good view for all and a sense of intimacy.

We arrived in the auditorium to some lovely old-style music by Nat King Cole and a set consisting of a bedroom that had all the appropriate bedroom furniture (i.e. double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, long mirror etc.) and an open suitcase on the floor. As the play unfolds you realise this is ‘mum’s’ bedroom and it is the night before her funeral, her three grown up daughters have to spend time together in her house sorting out her funeral.

The three sisters, Mary, played by Polly Lister, Teresa, played by Victoria Brazier and Catherine, played by Helen Flanagan are very different and as the play progresses you begin to understand why the play is called The Memory of Water. They go through the play recounting different aspects of their own personal ‘remembered’ childhoods that were often different to their siblings. The play has some very funny moments, very poignant moments and some very sad moments.

Mary, Teresa and Catherines mum, Vi (played by Vicky Binns) makes a few appearances to Mary where even more ‘memory’ misconceptions are revealed. On one of these visits there were touching references to Vi having Alzheimer’s over the last few years of her life and when Mary asks questions about this time it became very emotional.

The play was directed by Lotte Wakeham and there were also supporting roles by Mike (played by Charlie De Melo), Mary’s boyfriend and Frank (played by Reginald Edwards), Teresa’s husband who added depth and meaning to lots of the ongoing discussions and action.

I found this play funny, thought provoking and moving in varying degrees. It was on for 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval) and my attention was kept all the time. All the scenes were played in the ‘bedroom’, to good effect, even the coffin coming home the night before. All the characters performed their parts well and Mary’s ongoing smile added to the humour. It is recommended for 12+ but due to some content, i.e. sexual references, discussions around death, strong language, drug use and on-stage smoking of e-cigarettes it is something you may need to consider.

I always judge a play on how I feel when I come out, and would I recommend it to friends and family? When I came out I could re-late to some content, having been through both my parents’ deaths and having four siblings, It brought back ‘funny’ times and comments whilst also reminding me that maybe I should have chatted to them while they were still alive? I wasn’t sad just thoughtful which, to me, is a good thing. And yes, I would recommend the play to family and friends.

The Memory of Water is on at Octagon Bolton from Thursday 29th January 2026 to Saturday 21st February 2026 when it transfers to Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Wednesday 25th February 2026 to Saturday 14th March 2026.

Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15.00
The Memory of Water is at Octagon theatre:
The Theatre, The Octagon, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL11SB From 29th January to 21st February 2025
Box Office: 01204 520661
Tickets can be purchased at: octagonbolton.com

https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/the-memory-of-water?gad_source=1&gad_