AS SNOW blizzards sweep across the south, Chesil Theatre present a poignant play set in a snowbound English coastal village.

The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson tells the story of three sisters who return to their childhood home on the eve of their mother's funeral.

As they revert to sibling rivalry, long-suppressed tensions and tragic secrets emerge.

Was their mother caring and devoted or a controlling busybody?

Do any of the sisters have an accurate picture of the past? Is memory more a creation of emotion and belief than a recollection of the facts and can it, like water, be muddied or clear?

Those are the questions posed by this thought-provoking modern classic.

The play is directed by Flavia Bateson, her twelfth production for Chesil.

"This highly-acclaimed West End hit was justifiably recognised for a Laurence Olivier Award in 2000," says Flavia, who is also chairman of Chesil Theatre.

"Stephenson has produced an extremely well-written modern play that expertly manages to deal with serious subjects such as Alzheimer's disease and family jealousy but with a mixture of comedy, near farce and strong, emotionally charged scenes.

"Rarely do you get this mix of genres in one piece. This might explain why this play proved the most performed among am-dram groups in Britain last year."

2nd - 7th February, Chesil Theatre, Winchester. Performances: 7.45pm. Tickets: £8.50. Box office: 01962 877977.