Twopence UK tour cast revealed

Mark Moraghan, Lynn Francis and Daniel Taylor are among the cast announced for a new touring version of Helen Forrester’s much-loved Twopence to Cross the Mersey.

Moraghan will reprise his role as Helen's father while Francis will play her mother in the new production which includes stories told by the author to the stage show's writer but which were never revealed in her best-selling book.

The show, which will embark on its premiere UK tour in September, also stars Parry Glasspool, Lynne Fitzgerald, Robert Hudson, Roy Carruthers and Chloe McDonald.

And the central role of Helen will be played by Jenny Murphy who was chosen after an open call audition. Her previous stage credits include Cilla – the Musical, and The Jungle Book, Merry Wives of Windsor and Pride and Prejudice at last summer’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

The 15-date tour opens with a week-long run at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton from September 6-11 while other dates in the region include St Helens Theatre Royal from September 27 to October 1, The Atkinson at Southport from November 1-4, and the tour ends at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre from November 5-12.

Twopence to Cross the Mersey is being staged by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms and is directed by Gareth Tudor-Price.

Playwright and producer Rob Fennah says: “Twopence To Cross The Mersey is such a poignant true story and, although based in the 1930s, it tackles many scenarios people can still relate to today. It’s the main reason why it has remained so popular across the UK and around the world.

“Now we have our cast in place we can actually start believing we’re taking the production on its first major tour after such a challenging few years for live theatre and entertainment.

“Helen Forrester was an incredible woman, and we're proud to continue to be custodians of her fascinating stories. Some years ago, Helen and I grew to be good friends, and we shared many letters and lengthy telephone conversations about her life story.

“There were some real gems in among those conversations which I’ve now written into this new adaptation – fascinating memories of the late author that didn’t find their way into her books.”