Hillsborough drama returns to Liverpool to mark 35th anniversary

A drama which explores the lasting impact of the Hillsborough Disaster on survivors is returning to Liverpool.

97 Liverpool FC supporters were unlawfully killed when attending the FA Cup semi-final match between the Reds and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989. As the 35th anniversary of the tragedy approaches, a thought-provoking play telling the story of survivors is returning to Liverpool.

The play is written and directed by Tom Cain, 24. He wrote the play in lockdown 2020, originally for his final-year dissertation at Edge Hill University. This new 90-minute edition of the play will be staged on Friday, April 12 at the Liverpool Olympia.

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Speaking to the ECHO, Tom said: "I always wanted the long version to be presented at the weekend of the anniversary in the heart of Liverpool, it feels right." His grandad, Andrew Cain, was a Hillsborough survivor and since being at school Tom’s always wanted to write a play educating people about the disaster.

Tom added: “I learned about it from a young age because of my grandad, so when I found my feet with writing, I knew I wanted to do it about Hillsborough. Money from the shows has been donated to new therapy called the Hillsborough Transformational Recovery Model (HTRM) which has been designed by the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (HSA).

Set in 2012, the play follows two main characters who were created from common themes Tom found when interviewing eight survivors through the HSA. Originally it was called 96+ but the title changed in 2021, when Andrew Devine died after suffering life-altering injuries from the disaster.

Tom said: "That’s what the message of the play is… the disaster is much more than just the initial number, it’s the suicides and the depression that the survivors have suffered in order to get justice."

The two leads are John, played by Colin Kilbridge, and Steve, played by Leslie Longley. The characters reflect the differing ways that survivors often dealt with the trauma from the disaster.

21 members of the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance will be attending to watch the show for the first time on Friday. Peter Scarfe, chairman of the alliance, said: “It’s amazing to hear how it was put together, we’ve lost so many more than the 97 through suicides and depression.

"I’ve kept in touch with Tom, he’s a great writer and did a fantastic job. There’s no wonder the show is so successful."

In 2022 Bill Elms (now Tom’s producer) chose to put on 97+ at the Little Liverpool Theatre Festival, and then invited Tom back to perform at the main Liverpool Theatre Festival. Bill said: "I’m delighted this play is going from strength to strength; it’s a powerful piece and a story that needs to be told to a new generation.”