The Forgettory
If we don't remember who we were, then who do we become?
Alone in a new city, her last bottle of wine nearly empty, a woman drinks but can never forget. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, her grandfather wanders the past fighting to remember. And in between, there are memories of birth and death, childhood and adolescence. A compassionate story about a woman’s identity, family memory and ageing.
“South Australian playwright Tracy Crisp’s stories of memory and family are so vivid and affecting in The Forgettory they stay with you long after the theatre lights fade.”
Louise Nunn | The Advertiser
About the show
Told in four sections–insomnia, birth, death dementia–The Forgettory explores family identity in the context of that most mysterious of cognitive processes, memory. Like many people, I am fascinated by memory in all its facets, by what we remember, what we forget, and how it shapes the stories we tell ourselves.
This is probably the most challenging piece to perform, because it takes me back to many of the most challenging moments of my life. But I am always left enriched by its final moments and with a strong sense of connection to people I love deeply.
Acknowledgements and credits
Written and performed by Tracy Crisp
Directed by Maggie Wood
Love and support by Adrian Jones
Image by Kate Pardey
First staged at The Bakehouse Theatre Studio, Adelaide Fringe 2019
An early draft of part four (dementia) was first read at The Hearth and a later draft was read at tenx9 Adelaide
A (very) early draft of part three (death) was read at tenx9 Adelaide.
A version of part four (dementia) was published in Meanjin, Summer 2019
Thank you to my family who appear in The Forgettory especially to my son for his openness in having his story shared
Enhanced program notes for people who are blind or have low vision
My shows have a high audio content. In addition, I am a relatively static performer, there are no costume changes, and my sets are simple. So if you are blind or have low vision, you might find that my shows have good accessibility.
I'm an independent artist with a tiny budget, so I can't generally afford to have an audio describer at each show. However, I have done audio description training and have developed enhanced program and pre-show notes for all my shows. These notes provide contextual information you will hear at the performance.
The enhanced program notes are available in several formats including: in written format on my website here; in audio format on my soundcloud page; and in large print format at the venue.
The program that is given to all audience members when they arrive at the performance is also available in several formats including: in written format at the end of the enhanced program notes; in audio format on my soundcloud page; and in large print format at the venue.
