A new play will help teach kids about Hillsborough and the courage of the families

A new play will help to teach young people about the Hillsborough tragedy and the courage and strength of the families who experienced it.

Hillsborough: One Boy’s Story of a Tragedy has been adapted from Shaun Millea’s children’s book When Will Dad Be Home?

Profits from ticket sales for the show, which is on at The Capstone Theatre in April, will go to the Hillsborough education campaign which aims to teach children about the disaster and educate the next generation of supporters.

Shaun’s book has already gone into many schools across the region and he was keen to present the story on stage too.

He approached Liverpool theatre director Zara Brown and the two worked together with the actors to create a script which made it engaging for an adult audience as well as for a younger one.

She explains: “Shaun’s book was written as a children’s short story so we’ve had to adapt that into a full-length two-act play.

“We’ve stayed very true to the book and the characters but between Shaun and me and the cast we’ve devised and developed a show which focuses not only on the tragedy itself but on the family’s life before and the aftermath.

“We mostly see how the son deals with the loss of his father, but we also really get to know these characters before he passes away so it’s even more affecting for the audience.

“Usually as a director you’re given a script, make a few edits and then put it on whereas this has been such a collaborative process from day one and because of that the actors and myself are so much more invested in it.”

Play artwork for Hillsborough One Boy's Story of a Tragedy — Play artwork for Hillsborough One Boy’s Story of a Tragedy

Zara says the one thing everyone involved wanted to convey was the lives and emotions behind the facts of what happened.

“The thing that was so important to Shaun especially was not only to raise awareness with people who might not know about Hillsborough, but it’s also a show about grief and losing someone and how that impacts everyone in a family long-term.

“This show looks at it from one fictional family’s point of view and their experience but obviously it’s based on real life events. We’re actually using real witness testimonies in the script because as well as being authentic we wanted it to be respectful to the victims’, their families and the survivors of that day.”

The play will premiere over two nights in Liverpool, but Zara says the aim is to go on and tour it nationally.

“Our long-term goal is to tour this version of the show all over the country and also do a shorter version which we’ll take around schools and do a workshop alongside the book so kids can ask questions about Hillsborough,” she adds.

“The great thing about the arts in general, when you watch theatre and movies, is you connect and experience things differently and witness what it must have been like so you understand it more.

“It’s important that Hillsborough doesn’t get forgotten about over time, and to keep having that awareness especially among younger people.”

Cast rehearsing Hillsborough One Boy's Story of a Tragedy — Cast rehearsing Hillsborough One Boy’s Story of a Tragedy

Zara hopes Hillsborough: One Boy’s Story of a Tragedy will touch audiences of all ages, from older primary and secondary school age to adult.

“It’s got such a family feel to it and like any family there are heartwarming moments, hilariously funny ones, fights over stupid things, just everyday life.

“You really get that sense of the love they have for each other which makes it even more harrowing when the father does pass away.

“You see how they need to come together to survive it and that’s the overriding message – that the people we lose are always with us. It’s not just about Hillsborough and it’s not just about football, it’s about family.”

Hillsborough: One Boy’s Story of a Tragedy is at the Capstone Theatre on April 11 & 12.