Director’s son Kellgren joins Twopence cast

Direct from his critically acclaimed West End success as Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, Liverpool actor Ciaran Kellgren will be flying home to join the cast of Twopence to Cross the Mersey when the musical returns to the Liverpool Empire this October.

The former Shameless star cannot wait to get started, citing the opportunity to perform with a cast he knows so well, and in a city theatre with which he’s so familiar, as just two of the reasons why he’s so keen.

Kellgren explains: “I got a phone call from producer Rob Fennah whose company, Pulse Records and Productions, produces the show asking if I was up for it. Having seen it a few times before, I didn’t need a lot of persuading and when Rob told me Mark Moraghan and Pauline Daniels were staring in it, it was a definite yes! I played alongside Mark last year in Eric’s at the Everyman and had such a great time. Then there’s the chance to work with Merseyside legend, Pauline Daniels, plus I get to perform on stage at the Empire for the first time. It’ll be great to go back home, get some home cooking in from mum, and then get straight into rehearsals once my run with Peter Pan ends.”

There’s also another reason why Kellgren is keen to be a part of this new production. He adds: “My Dad, Ian, directs Twopence to Cross the Mersey and working with him for the first time since I was nine years old in A Christmas Carol will be something special. He’s always sworn he’d never work with me again but I think Rob Fennah twisted his arm. Now neither of us can wait to get started!

Playing Peter in the £3million production, which has seen its run extended until 13th September has, Kellgren says, been a fantastic experience. “Pan is a tremendous show with lots of special effects for everyone to enjoy, but there’s also a lot pressure involved as well. Working for nine weeks straight in the West End when so much money has been invested make the demands pretty tough. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved every minute of it and, as can be seen by the extension, so have the audiences. But it’ll be nice working at home for a month or so with family and friends.”

Twopence to Cross the Mersey, which chronicles the author’s early life during The Great Depression, has already taken an astonishing £1.5million at the box office and, with Helen Forrester’s readership breaking into the multi-millions the producers are working towards a tour of the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile, Pulse has released a promotional video on YouTube for the production under the title Twopence To Cross The Mersey – 2009 Promo.

Twopence to Cross the Mersey opens at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool from 6-17 October 2009.