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The 56
Newcastle Live Theatre
Wednesday
7th September 2016.
May 11th 1985 was supposed to be a day
of celebration in Bradford. Their football club had not only achieved the
promotion, they were going up as champions and they were going to pick up their
first trophy for a number of decades before the match. As a result of this,
plus the fact it was the last game of the season, Bradford City’s ground was heaving
with people and the old wooden “main” stand was full. At 3.40pm a small fire started
under the seats and within four minutes the fire had spread to the whole stand.
The 56 is a verbatim play that follows the testimony of 3 fans who were there
on that day.
 |
| Photo: Joe Priestley |
The
cast of 3, who have met the individuals that they are describing in person,
describe the powerful accounts of three of the 11076 fans that attended that
match. They describe in chronological order their association with the club,
their journey to the Valley Parade ground, the emotions through the build up to
the match and the match itself. Then, one by one, they notice that something is
wrong, something is different about the stand. The actors remain calm as they
describe the moment it is clear that something terrible was happening. There is
no histrionics in the delivery of the recollections.
 |
| Photo: Joe Priestley |
The
way in which the stories are delivered keeps the dignity and pride of the
community of Bradford alive. The real power in
the delivery of the accounts lies in the acknowledgement of the pride of the
people, the city and way in which the tackled both events on the day and
afterwards.
This
piece of theatre rises above finger pointing or speculation. It deals with the
real raw human emotions of a massive tragedy that still affects the survivors
that witnessed it.
 |
| Photo: Joe Priestley |
We
had recently witnessed E15 by Lung Theatre and were impressed by their ability
to sensitively deal with the issues faced by a community (LINK to E15 Review).
The 56 is another tremendous drama that left a lasting impression on the
audience. The fact that a share of the profits is being donated to the Bradford
Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit further illustrates how this production
understands rather than sensationalises the subject matter.
The
56 have not been forgotten. Neither have the many others who survived but were
affected by the events of that day. This
show will help the generations who were not around in 1985 to understand. After
all nobody should die at a football match in a fire. Lung Theatre have once
again delivered a powerful and remarkable piece of theatre.
The
show will now transfer to:
Otley
Courthouse – 9th September www.otleycourthouse.org.uk
Milford
Haven Torch Theatre – 23rd November www.torchtheatre.co.uk
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre
Guide – follow Stephen at @panic_c_button
Read
the North East Theatre Guide preview here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/preview-56-at-newcastle-live-theatre.html
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