New title for one of Liverpool’s favourite novels

Jan 16 2008 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

ONE of Liverpool’s best-known novels is getting a name change – after 128 years. The classic, Her Benny, will be renamed Our Benny for its stage appear- ance in the city this year.

Written by Silas Hocking and first published in 1880, the book retained its title for a number of stage musical versions written by Mersey- side’s Anne Dalton.

But it is Ms Dalton who has insisted on the name change for the show’s revival at the Liverpool Empire in November.

“Strangers to the original book Her Benny thought it was actually set in Germany,” she explains. “So we decided to rename it Our Benny.”

The story tells of two urchins, including orphan Benny Bates of the title, struggling to survive on the streets in Victorian Liverpool.

Ms Dalton’s own company ABD Productions will be staging the show with Bernie Nolan of the Nolan Sisters playing the leading role of Sally Wragg.

The production has been revamped for Liv- erpool’s year as Europ- ean Capital of Culture.

“It will feature new orchestral arrange- ments, authentic costumes, world class set design and the very latest in sound and lighting technology,” says Ms Dalton.

A search for local children to play the roles of orphans Benny and Nell will be launched in March across Merseyside.