Theatre review: Beyond Hillsborough, Quaker Meeting House (Venue 40), Edinburgh

By SUSAN MANSFIELD
Published on 08/08/2012 11:14

IT has been 23 years since the worst disaster in British sporting history claimed 96 lives at Hillsborough football ground. For the families of the victims, it has been 23 years of cover-ups and buck-passing.

Beyond Hillsborough

Quaker Meeting House (Venue 40)

Star rating: * * *

This company of students from West Kirby Grammar School interviewed survivors and families of victims to create this ambitious piece of verbatim theatre, telling the story of the disaster and its impact on those involved.

It’s shocking to be reminded of some of the worst failures: ambulances not allowed on to the pitch to treat the injured, missing CCTV tapes, a ten-year-old boy victim whose blood-alcohol levels were tested in a post-mortem. Writer/directors Jo Halliday and Layla Dowie are right to focus on the details that make the stories come alive.

There is too much information here, and the play needs trimming. But these young people must be commended for engaging with the situation in all its complexity and creating a thoughtful, impassioned piece of work in honour those who are still fighting for justice.

• Until 11 August. Today 11:40am.