Auditions being held for Liverpool Empire show

The search is on for a new star of the musical play Twopence to Cross the Mersey, which returns to the Empire later this year for a two-week run.

The show’s production team, Pulse Records & Productions, is holding open auditions for the part of Young Helen Forrester, previously played by Jamie Clarke – daughter of well-known Liverpool actor Michael Starke.

The role is central in Helen Forrester’s true story of how she and her formerly wealthy family had to leave behind the nannies and servants and survive in the slums of Liverpool during the depression of the 1930s.

Rob Fennah, writer and producer of the show, said: “The last time we held open auditions in 2004, Jamie, a relatively inexperienced actress at the time, beat hundreds of other hopefuls and clinched a part with her fantastic singing and acting abilities. As a direct result of her appearing in Twopence she was spotted by a leading West End agent and was signed up immediately.”

Alan Fennah, co-producer, added: “Finding home grown talent is important to us and, providing they can sing and act to a high standard, everyone who comes to the audition is in with a chance. We are also delighted to announce that the show will again be starring actress Pauline Daniels in the role of Helen Forrester Senior.”

Returning also is local actor Mark Moraghan, who played the role of Owen Davis in BBC drama Holby City.

Together with his numerous television and theatre credits, Moraghan is also due to release his first album and made an appearance in the final of last year’s Celebrity Masterchef, which he almost quit, mid-way through filming. He plays the role of Helen’s father, John Forrester.

Open auditions take place on Friday 29 May at the Empire theatre’s atrium bar from 10am.

Those wishing to audition are politely asked to queue at the main glass doors of the new part of the building at the side of the theatre and must be aged between 16 and 21.

Twopence to Cross the Mersey appears at the Empire theatre from 6 October this year.