By The Waters Of Liverpool at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool Review

Reviewed by Alison Rood

For any bookworms out there “By the Waters of Liverpool” might ring a bell.

Written by Helen Forrester, the best-selling story documents Helen’s childhood and adolescent years in a poverty stricken Liverpool during the 1930s.

The stage adaptation came to fruition after a chance meeting between writer Rob Fennah and Helen Forrester. It is such an interesting story, one which I recommend you look into! Rob and Helen remained friends until her death in 2011, aged 92 – I think the nature of their relationship made Rob more determined to do justice to Helen’s work.

I got to watch this show in Liverpool, which made it feel a bit more special. Knowing you were sat surrounded by people who had potentially had similar upbringings and struggles to Helen was humbling.

In the opening scene we get our first introduction to a 16 year old Helen (Emma Mulligan) – she comes out onto an authentic looking scene set, with the Liver buildings in the background really setting the scene.

A conversation with the “Deaconess” sparks the ambition inside her and she asks for her parents permission to go out in to the world of work. After her father lost his fortune during the stock market crash and the family were plunged into debt, you would think they would be elated at the suggestion.

However, Helen is the family “skivvy” and has to look after the younger members of the family as well as keeping house.

Queue the main gist of the first half of the show – a family at loggerheads over roles, responsibilities and money worries.

If you saw the word “Liverpool” and expected a bit of comedy, I think the first part will disappoint you.
Other than the occasional quip from the dazzling Lynn Francis (Helen’s Mum) it is very doom and gloom as we watch Helen try to escape her role as the family’s unpaid slave, try to compete with her pretty sister (brilliantly played by Samantha Alton) and try to make something of herself.

The scene with her Dad (superbly played by Tom Roberts) where she breaks down and outpours her feelings of being neglected and unloved was a hard watch.

But give it time! There are some heart-warming and hilarious parts coming up after the interval as we see Helen become less wallflower and more blooming rose. She goes from downtrodden to upbeat.

Particularly hilarious was the hairdressing salon scene. Lynne Fitzgerald and Samantha Alton (actors play multiple parts in this play, with only Emma, as Helen, having just one part) bounced off each other – their accents made it even more funny! Lynne’s scouse quips and broad accent had me and the audience around me tittering.

With her new dress and perm, Helen seems to be finally finding her place in the world – both in her work life and love life. She meets handsome seaman Harry (Joe Gill was FANTASTIC! He played a very believable, lovely gentleman) and they become engaged to be married.

Will the now 20 year old downtrodden Helen finally get her happy ending……?

This is the last tour of this production, so I suggest you book yourselves some tickets and go find out for yourself, no spoilers here.

The show is a mix of narration and dialogue – but don’t expect any music or singing, it isn’t that kind of show. Honestly, I was slightly disappointed with this. I think the emotion of the show lent itself to a potentially amazing soundtrack.

Also don’t expect too much “war” related stuff – the story is more family/social based.

One more mention, Bill Elms. Anything he is involved in is worth a watch. Lovely guy too.

Rating: 4/5 (It needed some music in my opinion! And unfortunately, I didn’t find Emma’s narration engaging – especially during the first part)

Ticket information can be found here;  http://www.bythewatersofliverpool.com/  

Tickets Cost:  Matinee: £23 / £21 concession. Evening: £25 / £23 concession.

By the time you read this, the tour will have moved out of Liverpool. But you will be able to follow it to the Wirral, Crewe, Coventry, Sale and Rhyl – amongst others! So plenty of opportunity for you to find out how Helen and Harry fared.

(Image credit to Anthony Robling)