Twopence to Cross the Mersey Review

Good Points
Excellent songs which were poignant and told the story. Great stage set using advertising posters from the era of the play (1930's). Colourful characters break up the more somber moments with the family the story is about - they were once wealthy and became bankrupt in the depression of the 30's, upper class 'twit' parents who, in this true story, stop their daughter from going to school and make her look after the other children while they squander what little they have on cigarettes but don't even buy soap to wash in. The 'Narrator' is the author of the autobiography the show is based on and she takes a cathartic trip down memory lane - we discover that the reluctant urchin who fights for an education became a best selling author -Helen Forrester. Great singing by Jamie Clarke who plays young Helen Forrester.

Bad Points
The rows between the Mother and Father can wear you down a little and you look forward to the 'local' characters coming on, like an oasis. Could benefit from another upbeat number, there are a lot of ballads but that is the nature of the show.

General Comments
Twopence to Cross the Mersey is an enjoyable show. Some may say it suffers from being provincial because of its Liverpool back drop, but I think the story (being true) should be an inspiration. Every town in every country suffered in the depression and Helen Forrester has sold her many books all over the world. If the Liverpudlian accents from the local characters where toned down a little for general consumption - I think this show would have a successful tour