Auditions for lead role in 'Twopence to cross the Mersey'

Based on the former Hoylake resident's critically-acclaimed novel the play - which chronicles her early life during The Great Depression in the 1930s - will open on Tuesday, September 6 at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.

The tour will then visit venues in Rhyl, Stockport, Crewe, St Helens, Blackpool, Warrington, Darlington, Halifax, Croydon, Coventry, Bolton and Southport, before closing in Liverpool.

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

Open auditions for the role of young Helen Forrester will take place on Tuesday, April 5, at the Epstein Theatre on Hanover Street in Liverpool City Centre. Registration will open at 10am.

The actor will be required to join the cast from Mon 22 August – Sat 12 November for the full rehearsal and performance schedule so, anyone attending the audition must check their full availability in advance.

Actors must be aged 18 or over, to play the role of a 12/14-year-old Helen, be under 5ft 2in (maximum) and, most importantly, of petite build. The actor will be required to deliver a two-minute monologue of their own, which should include a very well-spoken RP English accent.

The original production was first staged at the Liverpool Empire in 2004.

Playwright and producer Rob Fennah explained: "In 2020 we embarked on a UK Tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool – sister show to Twopence – which was brilliantly received, but we were forced to cancel after just two weeks due to the pandemic.

"We tried to reschedule but Covid restrictions kept getting the better of us.

"It was during this period I decided to rework the Twopence To Cross The Mersey script, include some new scenes and give it a fresh look.

The period drama is set in the early 1930s in the midst of the Great Depression.

In 1931, Helen's spendthrift father was declared bankrupt forcing the family to leave behind the nannies, servants, and beautiful middle-class home in the gentler South West of England.

With nothing more than the clothes they stood up in, the family of nine took the train to Liverpool where they hoped to rebuild their shattered lives.

It came as a terrible shock to find the thriving, wealthy port Helen's father remembered as a boy, the place his own father made his fortune, had long since gone.

Helen Forrester pictured in 1995

While 12-year-old Helen's parents searched unsuccessfully to find work, she was taken out of school to look after her six younger siblings and the full burden of keeping house fell on Helen’s young shoulders.

Having never had to manage a family budget in their previous life, the Forresters found themselves relying on meagre hand-outs from the local parish, charity organisations, and the kindness of strangers.

At the age of 14, Helen had finally had enough of her miserable existence and so began a bitter fight with her mother and father to attend evening school in an effort to educate herself and make her own way in the world.

But Helen's parents had no intention of releasing their unpaid slave. They had other plans for their selfish daughter.

Millions of people around the world know Helen Forrester's life story told through her best-selling volumes of autobiography, Twopence To Cross The Mersey, Liverpool Miss, By The Waters Of Liverpool and Lime Street At Two.

Helen's literary achievements were celebrated in 2020 when an iconic Blue Plaque was unveiled at the late author's family home in Hoylake, a place which featured heavily in her work.

Rob Fennah continued: "Helen's army of loyal readers will be interested to know that, when she was still with us, Helen and I shared many letters and lengthy telephone conversations about her life story.

"There were some real gems in amongst those conversations which I have now written into the new scenes - fascinating memories of the late author that didn’t find their way into her books."

Helen Forrester's son Robert Bhatia said: "The partnership between playwright Rob Fennah and my mother Helen, and her legacy, has been outstanding.

"I saw the play during its last tour and the portrayal of my mother was utterly convincing."

Tuppence to cross Mersey Playwright Rob Fennah and author Helen Forrester in 1992

Co-producer Bill Elms added: "Twopence To Cross The Mersey is one of those very special pieces of theatre which is just a real pleasure and absolute privilege to be part of.

"Helen Forrester's books are gritty but so heartwarming at the same time.

"Her life story really captures audiences and we are incredibly excited to take the play on its very first national UK tour.

"Theatregoers who may have seen earlier versions can look forward to the new production and set and we'll be announcing the cast very soon.

"For fans who have never experienced the play, this is a chance to really feel Helen’s words brought to life from the page to the stage."

Co-producer Lynn McDermott concluded: "This new adaptation of Twopence To Cross The Mersey also features a sizeable chunk from Liverpool Miss, Helen's second volume of autobiography, so newcomers to Helen's story will get a complete picture of her early years in Liverpool.”

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 next year.

For tickets and more details, go to www.twopencetocrossthemersey.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TwopenceThePlay