About

The 56
A remarkable story of loss. Memory.. And the unbreakable spirit of a community.
“Nobody dies in football matches at 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 4 minutes, the wooden structure was entirely ablaze. Nobody could have predicted the effect this disaster would have on a city or a football community.
Adapted solely from over 60 real life testimonies, this powerful and moving piece of theatre pays homage to those supporters who lost their lives in one of the darkest days of football history. The characters show how solidarity, strength and community rebuilt a ‘City’ in the strength of overwhelming tragedy.

Age suitability - Over 16