Twopence To Cross The Mersey

13th October: 7.30pm

14th October 2.30pm & 7.30pm

The UK Premiere Tour of Helen Forrester’s – Twopence to Cross The Mersey – A Brand New Stage Production not to be missed!

Adapted by Rob Fennah – Directed by Gareth Tudor Price

Adapted from Helen Forrester’s million-selling autobiography, Twopence To Cross The Mersey is a stunning period drama set in the early 1930’s in the midst of the Great Depression.

Twopence To Cross The Mersey tells the true story of a young girl and her formerly wealthy family as they are suddenly thrown into poverty during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Leaving behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England, they uproot their shattered lives and choose Liverpool as the city to restart and rebuild their dreams and fortune. Unbeknown to them however, they are in for a terrible shock as she and her family are forced to survive in the slums amongst the streetwise working class.

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 Southwest 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.

While 12-year-old Helen’s inept 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 Forrester’s found themselves relying on meagre handouts from the local parish, charity organisations and the kindness of strangers.

But, 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.

Tickets from £23.75

Accessibility Information:

Wheelchair access

Following recent improvements to the stalls seating area, we now offer easier access and better viewing locations for wheelchair users. So you can be assured of a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we have level access to the stalls from Commercial Street and provide two accessible toilets on the stalls level.

Hearing Impaired

The Victoria Theatre has an induction loop for hearing aid users in the auditorium and Box Office.

Additionally the Victoria Theatre now offers an infra-red audio system allowing customers in the Stalls and The Circle and to individually adjust the volume of the performance.

Visual Impairments

We now offer versions of our seasonal brochure in large print. Please contact the box office to request copies to be sent to you.

Guide dogs are welcome and we will be pleased to provide a bowl of water on request.

Complimentary tickets

We are pleased to offer a complimentary ticket to essential carers of people with additional needs. Please contact the Box Office for details on 01422 351158