Looking back with a laugh at city

Oct 21 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A HUMOROUS look at the history of Liverpool is the subject of a new play premiering this week.

The Long and Winding Road was written by members of MS Writers, an independent group comprising multiple sclerosis sufferers and carers.

They were set the challenge of writing a play by Jimmy McGovern, who has tutored the group alongside several other local professionals including Coronation Street writer Jan McVerry, Roy Boulter, Nick Saltrese, Maurice Bessman and Joe Ainsworth.

Treasurer Jackie Breen said: “Jimmy was one of our original mentors, and when we were all working on individual material he said why don’t we get together as a team and write a play?

“We decided to tell the history of Liverpool through the eyes of ordinary people and make it a little more humorous, rather than a history lesson.

“There have been a few stressful moments, but we feel we have achieved a lot.”

The play, which has been funded by The Big Lottery (Awards for All), Kensington Regeneration Liverpool PCT and LCVS Grassroots, is directed by Rachel Littlewood with a cast of local actors, and will be performed at Liverpool Community College theatre from tomorrow to Friday.