It's often said that a eulogy is the truth wrapped in fiction. In this short play by Julie Brandon, we see the past as it happened -- or as Maggie would have us see it -- in her tumultuous relationship with her mother who never let a kind word escape her lips until after she has passed on. The depth of character in this play is so strong that you can't help but wonder at the strength in both of them, and the power of understanding and forgiveness shines through.

We hear Dr. Margaret invent a past while we see what actually transpired. The juxtaposition between the two is striking. Far from being a font of loving support, Delores is hard and unyielding and discouraging at every turn. She is a vividly drawn, seeming monster. Margaret discovers her true motivation and her suppressed dreams only after Delores dies. The portrait of Delores that emerges is poignant and leaves Margaret filled with both gratitude and regret. A lovely work.

As Margaret gives her speech extolling the encouragement her mother gave her in her education and career, a series of flashbacks reveal a mother who was anything but supportive. But which portrait is accurate? Neither? Both? Julie Brandon tells her characters' story with deep empathy as she skillfully manipulates the audience's expectations. Brightly Burning is a worthy addition to the canon of works exploring the often fraught relationships between mothers and daughters.