REVIEW: Helen Forrester's By The Waters Of Liverpool: 5 Stars — 'A Special Piece Of Theatrical Work'

The Liverpudlian Reviews Helen Forrester's By The Waters Of Liverpool, Beautifully Brought To The Stage For It's 2023 UK Tour By Bill Elms Productions & Pulse Stage Productions

By The Waters Of Liverpool really is a special piece of theatrical work that we absolutely recommend you go and immerse yourself in (Credit: Anthony Robling/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

By The Waters Of Liverpool stage adaptation is based on the classic book that has sold more than one million copies which tells the true story of Helen Forrester's life growing up during a bleak and difficult time of Liverpool's history.

You can purchase tickets for By The Waters Of Liverpool at the Floral Pavillion in New Brigtion now for Wednesday the 25th to Sunday the 29th of October, including additional Matinee Performances.

Following the early life story of Liverpool local, Helen Forrester, who recalls her family's struggles from the ages of 11 right through to her early 20s. The play brings to life a stunning retelling of the book that has captivated people for many years to date, since its original publication in 1981.

By The Waters Of Liverpool was dramatic and humbling. It vividly depicts the near unimaginable hardship and sacrifices that have been made through previous generations.

From Helen's reciting hardships of how she sleeps on a door propped up by bricks with newspapers as bedsheets, to brutal attacks on her safety when running errands in the City. Despite Liverpool being one of the most important Ports in the world, not all of its sons and daughters enjoyed those rewards.

Helen's Father comforting her during her time of need (Credit: Anthony Robling/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

Special note should be made regarding the use of the set. The play is a feast for the eyes, the set design is beautifully crafted. The stunning backdrop which features the Royal Liver Building, Liverpool Lime Street Overground Railway, and a portion of the Anglican Cathedral. In addition to a set of rustic shops that lined both sides of the stage. Their warm glowing windows, illuminated with comforting orange tones really offered up a cosy atmosphere, even if some of the scenes that unfolded beneath those windows were anything but cosy.

The implementation of audio ensured the story was propelled forward; from eerie music that brought a real sense of danger to light, to a soundscape that created a bustling and almost overwhelming sense of place such as in Helen’s workplace.

All of these components that made the play the success that it is just blended together to tell a story that offers a mixture of emotions; from bleak sorrow to heartwarming, uplifting and frustrating.

It was a beautifully heartbreaking depiction of Helen's early life that is a crucial piece of social history for Liverpool.

The much welcomed comedic parts of the play had excellent timing and offered a break from the harsh realities of Liverpudlian life during the 1930s and 1940s. A standout moment of humour was the salon scene which had the audience erupting in laughter.

We were invited along to review the play, and it must be said that whilst it was fabulous and the play enjoyed a packed out audience in the M&S Bank Arena's Auditorium, it would have also been perfect to see this play in it's originally intended stage — The Epstein Theatre. Which is sadly currently closed after funding was pulled.

The sheer quality of this production and the importance of the play's story being about a local woman succeeding despite such overwhelmingly difficult circumstances demonstrates yet again why having the originally intended longer run at The Epstein Theatre would again be culturally invaluable to the Liverpool City Region and its people. These stories need a guaranteed place and a stage to call home so that all generations of Liverpudlians can continue to celebrate our heritage as this play does plentifully.

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

(Credit: Anthony Robling).

By The Waters Of Liverpool really is a special piece of theatrical work that we absolutely recommend you go and immerse yourself in (Credit: Anthony Robling/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

The cast were outstanding with particular praise for how seamlessly they morphed between a huge range of characters without breaking the utterly immersive atmosphere that was ever present as the drama unfolded.

In alphabetical order, starring in the play was Samantha Alton who played the roles of Fiona, Miss Finch, Dawn, Aunt Emily, Dancer, and Ensemble. Roy Carruthers played the roles of Lift Man, Butcher, Conductor, Guard, Detective 2, Office Staff, Dancer, and Ensemble. Lynne Fitzgerald played the roles of Deaconess, Miss MacAdam, Betty, Doris, Ma, and Ensemble. Lynn Francis played the roles of Mother, Phyllis,Grandma, Freda, Dancer, and Ensemble. Joe Gill played the roles of Nick, Detective 1, Harry, Office Staff, Dancer, and Ensemble. Emma Mulligan played the role of Helen Forrester. Joe Owens played the roles of Alan, Herbert, Newspaper Seller, Freidrich, Jack, Arthur, Dancer, and Ensemble. Tom Roberts played the roles of Father, Lift Man, Office Staff, Dancer, and Ensemble. Daniel Taylor played the roles of Mr Ellis, Pawnbroker, Air Raid Warden, Norm, and Ensemble.

The play was Written and Produced by Rob Fennah, Communications Director & Producer was Bill Elms, Productions Co-Ordinator & Producer was Lynn McDermott, the Director was Gareth Tudor Price. The play's Sound Designer was Kate Harvey, and the Music and Soundscape was produced by Rob & Alan Fennah. The Lighting Designer was Ian Scott, the play's set was designed by Richard Foxton, with the Set Construction and Painting by Splinter. Production Manager was Tom Platt with the Company Stage Manager being Anna-Lisa Maree. The Casting Director was Nicci Topping Casting, with the Wardrobe Mistress being Marie Miller and Assistant Wardrobe being Eloise Eastwood.

By The Waters Of Liverpool really is a special piece of theatrical work that we absolutely recommend you go and immerse yourself in (Credit: Anthony Robling/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).

It was a beautifully heartbreaking depiction of Helen's early life that is a crucial piece of social history for Liverpool.

References to streets and areas she used to live, to places she would visit and walk along with her father — from the various shops on Bold Street to corner shops and dance rooms she would attend. As well as a brilliant scene that brought to life a cold and blustery visit to the Pier Head.

Furthermore the detailed narrative monologues in which characters described in depth the various people and places that were important in Helen's life made this play all the more memorable. By The Waters Of Liverpool really is a special piece of theatrical work that we absolutely recommend you go and immerse yourself in.

The Show's Programme was also beautifully put together, filled to the brim with content in a scrapbook style that is worth keeping as a historical treasure trove and memento from the play.

Currently in the midst of a UK Tour, the stage adaptation will conclude at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, situated in the Liverpool City Region's Borough of Wirral which held a special place in Helen's heart. These dates run from Tuesday 24th of October – Sunday the 29th of October 2023.

For more information about the UK Tour of By The Waters Of Liverpool you can read our full article.

'By The Waters Of Liverpool' earns itself top marks from The Liverpudlian's Liver Bird Rating (Credit: The Liverpudlian).

Helen Forrester's By The Waters Of Liverpool 2023 stage adaptation earns itself a fabulous, heartfelt and worthy 5 Liver Birds out of 5.