A POIGNANT but funny play about sibling rivalry and relationships is coming to the stage in Gweek next week.

The Memory of Water, by Shelagh Stephenson, is the latest production by the Gweek Players, which opens next Wednesday and runs until the Saturday.

It tells the story of three sisters who meet at their recently deceased mother’s house - their childhood home - on the eve of her funeral,

The play deals with the relationship between put-upon Teresa (Michelle Dickson), the oldest sister who became her mother’s carer during her illness, middle sister Mary (Emma Teague), a successful doctor, and Catherine (Emma Phillips), the youngest sister who doesn’t appear to have grown up past her teenage years.

Humour, resentment and emotion come to the fore as they start to remember the past - and those memories don't always tally.

Then there is Teresa's husband Frank (Alan Perry), who runs a health food store, and Mary's "boyfriend" Mike (Graham Winter), a married TV doctor who joins them ostensibly to support Mary, but gets dragged into the fray.

Finally, Vi (Linda Capone), the mother, makes an appearance from beyond the grave to shed some light on the sisters’ mixed emotions, with the audience even learning about "the memory of the water."

The play was adapted for the 2002 film Before You Go, starring Julie Walters and John Hannah.

Taking place at Gweek Village Hall, performances will be held at 7.30pm from next Wednesday to Friday, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, March 17.

Tickets cost £10 - to include a choice of dessert or cheese plate in the interval - from 01726 879500 or

gweekplayers.co.uk.

The play has been directed by Anj Wetherill, with Susan Watson and Mike Stanger in charge of set design.