A NEW adaptation of a true, inspiring story that still resonates with audiences nearly 50 years after it was written will return to the Parr Hall next year.

Helen Forrester’s Twopence to Cross the Mersey will be performed on the iconic stage on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9.

This new production is based on the author’s multi-million selling autobiography and it has been adapted by Rob Fennah.

It will be directed by Gareth Tudor Price with a star-studded cast that will be announced nearer the time.

Drawing on her own childhood experiences, Helen painted a vivid portrait of life in the 1930s amid the Great Depression.

In 1931, Helen's free-spending father was declared bankrupt, forcing the family to leave behind the nannies, servants and luxuries of life in their beautiful middle-class home in the south west 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 had long since gone.

While 12-year-old Helen's 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 as the family began to rely on handouts and the kindness of strangers.

By 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 letting their ‘selfish daughter’ go that easily in a story of triumph over adversity.

Helen died in 2011 but her books and life story have continued to inspire playwright Rob, who was a friend of Helen's in the latter years of her life.

Tickets are on sale now at parrhall.culturewarrington.org or call 01925 442345.