The 56

Nobody dies in football matches in fires. It doesn’t happen.

At 3.40pm on 11th May 1985, a small fire broke out in the main stand at Valley Parade football ground during the last game of the season. Within four minutes, the wooden structure was ablaze. Adapted solely from over sixty real-life testimonies, this pertinent piece of documentary theatre pays homage to the supporters who lost their lives in one of the darkest days in British footballing history. The 56 examines the solidarity, strength and community in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

This edition of The 56 was published to coincide with Lung Theatre’s rehearsed reading staged on the 40th anniversary of this momentous event in the history of Bradford.

Founded in Barnsley in 2016, LUNG frequently performs and develops new work with The Lowry, Battersea Arts Centre and The Civic in Barnsley. LUNG is dedicated to producing new verbatim theatre as well as collaborating with new writers.