After the phenomenal success of its debut tour in April, the original stage play Forever Mine will visit Wirral in October with a special performance in St Mary’s Church, Upton.
2023 marks the 250th anniversary of “Amazing Grace” – the world’s best-loved hymn and one of the most recorded songs of all time, which has a historic connection with the area.
The UK tour of Forever Mine will be performed in many of the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place, retracing the steps of John Newton’s life.
At its heart, Amazing Grace tells the dramatic story of its author John Newton.
This original stage play is based on letters, diaries and historical writings, and encompasses both John Newton’s dramatic transformation from slave trader to clergyman and eventual abolitionist as well as the passionate love story between Newton and his wife Mary (nicknamed Polly).
Although set in the 18th century, this moving narrative will resonate with modern audiences.
Shipwrecked on the shores of Lough Swilly in 1748 at the pivotal point of his life (“the hour I first believed”. The drama also looks honestly at John Newton’s role in the slave trade including his continued involvement for six years after his conversion in 1748.
After he left the slave trade, John Newton worked as a Tides Surveyor in Liverpool from 1755 to 1764 before he eventually became a clergyman. Forever Mine traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce.
One powerful distinctive of this costume drama (and especially important during black history month) is that it elevates the lesser-known voices of the abolition movement including black writer Olaudah Equiano and tells the virtually unknown story of Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (also known as James Albert) who is considered the first published African in Britain.
Forever Mine is brought to life by a stellar cast of professional actors starring Ellis Wells as John Newton, Susie Garvey-Williams as Polly Newton, Gideon Asuming as Olaudah Equiano, and Christian Gerring as William Wilberforce.
For more information or booking please visit: www.amazinggrace.ie/forever-mine 
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Twitter, and Threads? You can also send story ideas or letters to the editor to news@birkenhead.news