A BRAND new stage play version of Helen Forrester’s Twopence to Cross the Mersey will come to the Theatre Royal next year as part of its extended showings.

Producers are delighted to announce that the 2015 production will now extend across the region following its initial three-week run at the Liverpool Epstein Theatre, visiting Southport Theatre, St Helens Theatre Royal and finishing its journey by finally crossing the Mersey at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.

This comes just weeks after the announcement of an extra week of shows added to its run at the Epstein Theatre which is on from Tuesday, March 10 to Saturday, March 28 2015.

The show will set sail to play to audiences reaching all across Merseyside as it heads to the Theatre Royal from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday 16. It will also be shown at Southport Theatre from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday 11 and at the Floral Pavilion from Sunday, April 19 to Thursday, April 23.

This much loved account 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 1930’s. 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.

Loved by millions, see Helen’s dramatic, moving and heart-warming tale come to life as she and her family are forced to survive in the slums amongst the streetwise working class.

In its earlier format, the musical version of the show had four hugely successful runs at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre, firstly in 2004 and then returning in 2005, 2007 and 2009 under the helm of Rob Fennah and production company Pulse Records Limited. Now Pulse, in collaboration with new producer Bill Elms, bring audiences this new touring production of the play.

Co-Producer and stage writer Rob Fennah said: “Helen (Forrester) and I often talked about the possibility of taking Twopence to other towns and she would have been delighted to know that it is now finally happening. Her readers in Liverpool, Southport, St Helens and New Brighton will now have the chance to see her most famous book come to life and all involved with the show are confident they won’t be disappointed. Helen’s son, Robert, has told us he will be attending one of the performances too so it promises to be a very special occasion.”

Co-Producer Bill Elms said: “This is turning out to be quite an exciting and popular theatrical event with one of Merseyside’s most famous autobiographies and much-loved productions visiting four of our wonderful venues across the county, I especially love the crossing of the Mersey and ending the run on the Wirral, with her origins in Hoylake, I am sure Helen would approve.”

Do not miss this remarkably poignant tale when it embarks on venues across Merseyside in this brand new format; Twopence to Cross the Mersey is coming to a theatre near you in spring 2015.