Welcome to Ward 76
This is the digital home of Ward 76 - a companion to the theatre production touring Rochdale and Manchester this Spring. You can use this site to reflect on what you’ve seen, learn more about the themes and take part in creative activities like zine-making.
Everything here is designed to be clear, accessible and optional - explore at your own pace.
About the play
The story begins during a sudden power outage in a hospital, throwing everything into chaos. Three teenage patients, who have only just met, team up to search for WiFi and find themselves on an unexpected journey through the hospital’s hidden spaces. What starts as a hunt for signal becomes a humorous, heartfelt adventure with a hint of ghost-story mystery, as the characters encounter strange happenings, face their fears and form genuine friendships along the way.
Through humour, moments of horror and honest conversation, Ward 76 explores themes including anxiety, disability, loneliness, social media pressures and the realities of growing up in a medical environment.
The play is written by disabled artist Sam Jamil and his mother Shirley, and is rooted in their lived experience of Sam “growing up” in hospital.
Send in your Spooky Stories
The hospital corridors of Ward 76 are full of stories… and now we want yours. Have you ever had a spooky moment, a strange experience or a story that still gives you goosebumps?
Send your spooky stories to hello@ward76.co.uk and become part of the Ward 76 world!
CHARACTER PROFILES
K-REN
Age:16
Favourite biscuit: Biscoff
Who they are/Their experience in the play:
KRen is a teenage influencer who spends a lot of her time online, carefully controlling how she is seen by others while keeping her medical condition private. During her time in hospital, she learns that not everyone is judging her and that being open and honest can lead to real friendships, built on trust.
NEMO
Age:16
Favourite biscuit: Chocolate digestive
Who they are/Their experience in the play:
Nemo is a kind and sensitive character who wants to keep everyone happy and avoid conflict. He tends to follow others rather than speak up, choosing the easiest path where he can. Through his time in hospital, Nemo begins to realise that he has a voice and that standing up for himself, and for others, can make a positive difference.
HARRY
Age:17
Favourite biscuit: Jammy Dodger
Who they are/Their experience in the play:
Harry is a long-term children's hospital patient who masks fear with humour and confidence and who knows the ward better than anyone else. Witty, sharp, and seemingly unshakeable, he uses humour and routine as a way of surviving constant medical intervention. The hospital has become his second home, a place of safety, familiarity and people who understand him.
CLARE/CAMILLA
Age:38
Favourite biscuit: Dark Chocolate HobnobWho they are/Their experience in the play:
Clare is an overworked nurse doing her best to care for her teenage patients during an unexpected power outage in the hospital. Without realising it, she offers the firm yet compassionate support they need to navigate what can be a frightening and uncertain time.
Camilla is the spirit of a nurse who is trying to rewrite history to save the teenage patients who died during a fatal incident on her ward during the Second World War. Driven by care and guilt, she is caught between the past and the present as she searches for a different outcome.
FAQ's
What is Ward 76?
Ward 76 is a play that follows three teenage patients during an unexpected power outage in a hospital. Told from the perspective of young people, the story explores friendship, vulnerability, resilience and identity during a time of uncertainty. While it acknowledges fear and difficulty, the play also highlights humour, connection and hope.
Who is it for?
Ward 76 is for young people.
The story is written from the viewpoint of a teenage patient rather than parents or medical staff, centring young voices and lived experience. It helps demystify hospital stays, showing that they are not only about pain or distress, but can also be spaces where young people adapt, support one another and find strength.
The project is particularly relevant for secondary-age students, but can be accessed by anyone interested in young people’s wellbeing, health experiences and storytelling.
How is Ward 76 used in schools and community settings?
Ward 76 is designed to be flexible and accessible across schools and community spaces.
The project can be experienced as a live theatre performance for young people, followed by guided discussion or reflection. The story supports conversations around health, emotional wellbeing, identity, empathy and resilience, making it particularly suitable for PSHE, tutor time and creative learning settings.
Alongside the performance, this website acts as a supporting resource. It includes information about the characters and themes, practical guidance for hospital visits and stays and signposting to further support on topics raised in the play. Creative activities, including zine-making, encourage young people to reflect, respond and share their own perspectives.
In community settings, Ward 76 can be used to spark conversation, reduce anxiety around healthcare experiences and create safe spaces for young people to explore their feelings through storytelling and creativity.
Resources
Contextual information
Ward 76 is a unique insight into the lives of young people who experience illness and hospital
stays. Find out more about some of the key topics within the play;
How to Make a Zine
Contact & Booking
We want to watch this play - how do we get in touch?
We'd love to hear from you.
If you're a school, youth group, community organisation or venue interested in booking Ward 76, or would like more information about performances, workshops or touring options, please get in touch.
Booking & Touring Enquiries:
Use our enquiry form to tell us about your setting, dates and audience and a member of the team will be in touch. We're happy to discuss access requirements, group sizes, and how Ward 76 can work best for your space and audience.
