Show: By The Waters Of Liverpool
Society: M&S Bank Arena
Venue: M&S Bank Arena Liverpool
Credits: By Rob Fennah, based on the book by Helen Forrester. Produced by Pulse Stage Productions with Bill Elms
Type: Sardines
Author: Graham Whalan
Performance Date: 19/10/2023
By The Waters Of Liverpool
Graham Whalan | 23 Oct 2023 17:37pm
Photo: Anthony Robling
Having lived in Northumberland for many years I became very familiar with the works of Catherine Cookson and her powerful stories about the class divisions, struggles and challenges of the early 1900s. Now living in the north-west I have come much later to appreciate the work of Helen Forrester, whose autobiographical novels open a similar window onto the bleakness of the 1930s, a time of economic depression, soaring unemployment, and even the darkening clouds of war. By the Waters of Liverpool, the new drama adapted by Rob Fennah from her novels, is currently bringing her lived experience and the extreme hardships of this period vividly to life.
The focal point of the drama is the character of Helen and her struggle to negotiate a path through the minefield of abuse and neglect she suffers following her family’s descent into poverty. Emma Mulligan’s performance is a totally convincing mixture of innocence, vulnerability, desolation and resilience. Denied any sense of an independent life, she is treated as an unpaid slave by her family and appears to act as the innocent target for all their anger and frustration. Helen’s abrasive and emotionally bankrupt mother is effortlessly portrayed by a stony and pitiless Lynn Francis, whilst her somewhat feckless and insensitive father is portrayed equally effectively by Tom Roberts. I
t is indeed not until the Second Act that we see Helen being offered tiny crumbs of kindness when she finally breaks down in anguish, unable to contain her misery and unhappiness any longer. Eventually, never having completely lost sight of her dreams she blossoms, as she learns to dance, and meets seaman Harry with whom she is clearly smitten. The awkwardness of his courtship with her is very touching as he helps her to re-build some of her banished self-esteem.
With the close attention to detail, the imaginative set and the eerie accompanying soundtrack, it is certainly easy to feel immersed in the sombre and austere atmosphere of the period, though this mood is also lightened by the frequent touches of humour. Highlights are the scene at the hairdressers, and the café scenes involving Helen, Harry and the glorious no-nonsense ‘Ma’, deftly played by Lynne Fitzgerald. Daniel Taylor is also very entertaining as the self-important Air Raid Warden.
With the exception of Helen, the 8-strong support cast take on multiple roles, in fact giving life to about 5 or 6 characters each. Whilst this might cause confusion, the skill and range of the cast renders each character a distinctive personality and voice. Just to give one example – until I got home, for example, I had not realised that Joe Gill, who played the tender-hearted Harry
, Helen’s first love, was very credible as an artful and slimy spiv, and as a pompous and haughty detective.  The technique used throughout is that of ‘story theatre’ – in other words a combination of detailed narrative with dialogue. With the drama unfolding over several years, the inclusion of so many different characters and much fine detail, the technique offers a highly effective kind of fluidity so that transformations between scenes and events becomes seamless.
Despite its apparent bleakness this is a production of considerable warmth and heart, and offers an up-lifting message concerning the power of love and determination. It is a rare treat to get the presentation of such a high-quality drama by a professional touring company at the Lowther, and indeed the packed house gave the cast a very clear message of appreciation. More please.