BLACK Roses, a play about the life of murdered Bacup 20-year-old Sophie Lancaster is set to be performed at Manchester’s prestigious Royal Exchange Theatre from February 26 to March 8.

The elegy to Sophie, who has beaten unconscious in Stubbeylee Park in 2007 and later died from her injuries, is written by award-winning poet Simon Armitage. Words by her mother Sylvia Lancaster, remembering her daughter’s shortened life, are also used in the moving tale.

The production provoked an unprecedented response when it premiered on Radio Four last year, winning the BBC Audio and Music Best Speech Programme of the Year Award.

To book tickets, visit website www.royalexchange.co.uk.