REVIEW: Helen Forrester's Twopence To Cross The Mersey - Floral Pavillion New Brighton

Helen Forrester's Twopence to cross the Mersey has commenced its first National tour of the UK. It commenced its 14 venue run at New Brighton's Floral Pavilion where I was privileged enough to see it for its Press night performance. The Wirral features heavily in the story-line, so it was apt that the show took place there. The adaptation from Helen Forrester's million selling book has been the recipient of rave reviews so far and rightly so. I have seen the production many times before and never tire of seeing this re-enacted on stage.

The tour also includes dates in Stockport, Crewe, St Helens, Blackpool, Warrington, Darlington, Halifax, Croydon, Coventry, Lichfield, Bolton and Southport – before concluding in Liverpool at the Epstein Theatre. 

Photo Credit: Anthony Robling

The new touring production of Twopence To Cross The Mersey is produced by Rob Fennah and Lynn McDermott for Pulse Records Limited in association with Bill Elms and directed by Gareth Tudor Price.

The 9-strong cast play more than 40 characters, which is staggering. The cast is comprised of Mark Moraghan, Daniel Taylor, Parry Glasspool, Jenny Murphy, Lynn Francis, Lynne Fitzgerald, Robert Hudson, Roy Carruthers, and Chloe McDonald.

Photo Credit: Anthony Robling

The stage play tells the compelling true story of a young girl's plight as she and her previously wealthy family find themselves in Liverpool, thrown into extreme poverty and deprivation. Their move from the South of England to the North during The Great Depression of the 1930's is wracked with devastation and scarcity. Helen's care-free youthfulness is stripped away from her as she assumes the burdensome role as carer for her younger siblings. In the meantime, her inept parents disregard and neglect her.

Photo Credit: Anthony Robling

This year's Nationwide tour of Twopence To Cross The Mersey will be followed by a tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool in Spring 2023. This is a show which I will never tire of watching. The attention to detail and the capacity of the cast to convey the highs and lows of emotion is astounding. The show is emotive, passionately portrayed, raw and honest. It is a real mix of heart-wrenching moments and humorous outbursts. Twopence is simply a stunning adaptation, which takes you on a rollercoaster ride of a plethora of emotions. Kudos to Rob Fennah and the rest of the team for yet another sterling production.

Photo Credit: Anthony Robling

The cast are fantastic. Mark Moraghan plays John Forrester (Helen’s father). He previously played ‘Father’ in the 2007 and 2009 adaptations of Twopence To Cross The Mersey, and reprised the role in the follow-up stage drama of Helen’s book By The Waters Of Liverpool in 2018 and 2020. Mark is best known for his roles in Holby City, Coronation Street and Brookside.  

 

Daniel Taylor plays Mr Ferris and is also part of the Ensemble. He is an award-winning actor, producer and director, and was most recently seen on stage in Blood Brothers. Daniel appeared at Liverpool Theatre Festival 2020 in his show The Very Best Of Tommy Cooper, and returned the following year in Something About George – The George Harrison Story.  I rate Daniel very highly and have always enjoyed his delivery on stage. Twopence was no exception. He is witty and skilled in his range as an actor. This was particularly demonstrated by his portrayal of the old gentlemen in the park who imparted much wisdom to Helen, providing much needed guidance and empathetic support. He also plays the roles of mischievous characters as well as curmudgeonly ones/ For this reason, Taylor is a multi-dimensional actor.

 

 

Parry Glasspool plays Helen’s brother Alan. He is best known for playing Harry Thompson in Hollyoaks. He was born and raised in the Midlands, (my home region) before moving to London to study for his BA Hons in Acting for Stage and Media at the University of West London. He was excellent in the role and collaborated beautifully with Helen in their shared scenes.

 

Jenny Murphy was awarded the role of Helen following an open call for auditions to find her. Jenny wowed the panel and now joins the touring production. She was phenomenal throughout and played a convincing role of Helen. You couldn't help but feel her pain and feel deep sympathy for her plight. She is an incredible protagonist who owned the stage. As her clothes became more and more dishevelled, she occupied more room in the audience's hearts. 

   

Lynn Francis plays Helen’s mother Celia Forrester, it was easy to feel disdain for her as you witnessed her atrocious parenting skills. Her inability to tune into the needs of her children, especially Helen was conveyed so dramatically. Roy Carruthers (Ensemble), and Chloe McDonald (Ensemble) – and all return having appeared in previous stage productions of Helen Forrester books presented by Pulse Records Limited.  

 

Lynne Fitzgerald plays Mrs Foster and (Ensemble), and Robert Hudson (Ensemble) complete the cast. Both are appearing for the first time in a Helen Forrester adaptation. 

 

This show is so beautifully written, directed and appeared. Make sure you catch the tour. You won't be disappointed.

Photo Credit: Anthony Robling

PR Rating - 5 Stars

 

The show runs until Saturday 12th November.

 

RHYL PAVILION  

Wednesday 14 September – Saturday 17 September 2022  

East Parade, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3AQ  

Website:         www.rhylpavilion.co.uk  

Box Office:      01745 330000  

  

STOCKPORT PLAZA  

Monday 19 September – Tuesday 20 September 2022  

Mersey Square, Stockport, SK1 1SP  

Website:         www.stockportplaza.co.uk  

Box Office:      0161 477 7779  

  

CREWE LYCEUM  

Wednesday 21 September – Saturday 24 September 2022  

Heath Street, Crewe, CW1 2DA  

Website:         www.crewelyceum.co.uk  

Box Office:      0343 310 0050  

  

ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL  

Tuesday 27 September – Saturday 1 October 2022  

Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ  

Website:         www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com  

Box Office:      01744 756000  

  

GRAND THEATRE BLACKPOOL  

Tuesday 4 October – Thursday 6 October 2022  

33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT  

Website:         https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/  

Box Office:      01253 290190  

  

WARRINGTON PARR HALL  

Saturday 8 October – Sunday 9 October 2022  

Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1BL  

Website:         https://parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on  

Box Office:      01925 442345  

  

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME  

Tuesday 11 October – Wednesday 12 October 2022  

Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RR  

Website:         www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk  

Box Office:      01325 405405  

  

HALIFAX VICTORIA  

Thursday 13 October – Friday 14 October 2022  

Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP  

Website:         www.victoriatheatre.co.uk  

Box Office:      01422 351158  

  

CROYDON FAIRFIELD HALLS  

Monday 17 October – Tuesday 18 October 2022  

Park Lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG  

Website:         www.bhlivetickets.co.uk  

Box Office:      0300 500 0595  

  

COVENTRY ALBANY  

Wednesday 19 October – Friday 21 October 2022  

Albany Road, Coventry, CV5 6JQ  

Website:         www.albanytheatre.co.uk  

Box Office:      024 7699 8964  

  

LICHFIELD GARRICK  

Saturday 22 October – Sunday 23 October 2022  

Castle Dyke, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6HR  

Website:         https://www.lichfieldgarrick.com/  

Box Office:      01543 412121  

  

BOLTON ALBERT HALLS  

Tuesday 25 October – Thursday 27 October 2022  

Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU  

Website:         www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk  

Box Office:      0343 208 0500  

  

SOUTHPORT ATKINSON  

Tuesday 1 November – Friday 4 November 2022  

Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB  

Website:         www.theatkinson.co.uk  

Box Office:      01704 533333  

  

EPSTEIN THEATRE LIVERPOOL  

Saturday 5 November – Saturday 12 November 2022  

85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ  

Website:         www.epsteintheatre.co.uk  

 

Box Office:      0344 736 0151