Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What I love about theatre is that there is show out there for every audience. And what one of us will adore, another will not. By The Waters Of Liverpool won’t be for everyone, but it will be a must see for fans of Helen Forrester’s writing. It’s a simple tale, told beautifully and carefully. It’s a story that so many families faced during the 1930s: of hardship, sacrifice, poverty and love.

This play follows the story of Helen. A young woman whose family have lost all their wealth and status and have moved to Liverpool during a time when the country was facing so much uncertainty. Crippled by debt, Helen’s family are struggling to make ends meet, but aren’t used to being poor, so fall into bad ways by borrowing more and more money, and ultimately losing more. Helen is the anchor of the family, the one holding it all together. But she wants more, she deserves more, but it’s up to her to get it.

This production has the most fantastic of casts. Legends of the stage who together bring us warmth and humour and plenty of accents too! 

While Emma Mulligan takes on the role of lead character Helen, the other actors take on multiple roles, but there is never any confusion. Lynne Fitzgerald, Daniel Taylor and Joe Owens are exceptional in this production. Every single role Lynne Fitzgerald plays is magnificent, she has comedic timing perfected. Her delivery of Ma, the cafe owner, is possibly the most Victoria Wood-Esque performance I have ever seen.

Although this is a tale of hardship, loss and tragedy, it is also a story filled with laughs, dancing, great love and friendship. The stage and lighting help to create the atmosphere and the use of narration through the central characters works well. The use of props and actors for scene transitions helps to move the story along and keep a steady flow. I enjoyed the simplicity of this production combined with the outstanding acting from the whole cast. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday evening in Sale.

By The Waters of Liverpool is currently on tour, further dates can be found here.