A PLAY based on the Bradford City fire tragedy will receive a national showcase at a radio festival.

‘The 56’ will be aired tomorrow as part of this year’s UK International Radio Drama Festival, held in London.

The play, adapted solely from more than 60 real-life testimonies, recalls the events of May 11, 1985, when 56 people were killed when a fire broke out at Bradford City’s Valley Parade stadium during a match between the Bantams and Lincoln City.

All profits of The 56 are being donated to the University of Bradford Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit, with around £4,000 raised so far.

The play missed out on the best adaptation prize at the BBC Radio Drama Awards. It faced tough competition to win the award, as other nominees included radio adaptations of works by Arthur Miller and Roald Dahl.

The play has been performed more than 100 times in 27 cities and was heard by more than two million people when it was broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

It was written by Lung Theatre, formerly FYSA Theatre, a Yorkshire-based company.