Micky Finn recalls his Cammell Lairds days as shipyard musical prepares to cross the Mersey

Aug 24 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A HOMEGROWN musical about Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird is crossing the Mersey next week.

Down Our Street, first performed in 2003 and 2004 at Birkenhead Town Hall, will be staged at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre from September 1-3.

The ensemble piece, written by Active Drama’s artistic director Brian McCann, tells the story of the shipyard through the eyes of the people of Birkenhead. The cast includes Mickey Finn, Mark Lacey and singer/actress Charlie Griffiths.

Comedian Mickey, who appeared in the original 2003 production, has fond memories of his own brief spell at Cammell Laird. Working at the shipyard was one of a host of jobs the young Joseph Flannery, as Mickey was born, had before he ventured into comedy.

“I was a stager where you put planks up for the welders and people like that,” he recalls. “I was never educated at school, so all my jobs were manual. It was vibrant, it was buzzing, the yard. There was lots of humour.

“I met Brian McCann and he asked me if I would do it and I jumped at it,” he explains.

“The greatest thing you can do, even when you do comedy, is to jog people’s memories.”

Brian McCann said: “The response was fantastic during the run, hearing people’s comments and stories as well as the enjoyment people got out of the play.”

Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets are £8 (£7 concessions) from 0844 873 2888.