THE new stage play of Twopence to Cross the Mersey is coming to Warrington after a critically acclaimed tour last year.

Helen Forrester's best-selling 1974 memoir of her childhood will be at the Parr Hall for three performances on October 28 and 29.

It 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 lives and choose Liverpool as the place to start again.

There are just two changes to the line-up from the spring 2015 tour.

The cast now features actors Phil Hearne, who has appeared in Blood Brothers in the West end and Coronation Street, and Tom Cawte, who is in the upcoming BBC series Witless.

The cast of eight making up the Forrester family also includes Emma Dears, from Les Miserables, Christopher Jordan, from Moving On, and Maria Lovelady, from Romeo and Juliet.

They will be joined by Eithne Browne, from Brookside, Jake Abraham, from Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Game of Thrones and Roy Carruthers, from Night Collar.

Rob Fennah, co-producer and stage writer, said: "Helen’s story is such a special one and is one which so many people can relate to – but you need an extremely strong cast who can embrace just what it was like for Helen and her family and are able to portray their lives with passion and dignity.

"Our cast won the hearts of audiences and also the Forrester family which is absolute testament to their creative talent.

"We are delighted to welcome Phil and Tom to the team, they will bring their own interpretation to the roles and we are excited to have them on-board."

The new version is staged by Pulse Records with producer and stage writer Rob Fennah, producer Bill Elms and director Bob Eaton.

DAVID MORGAN