Patrick Magee, the man behind this atrocity, is now coming to speak at the Dukes in Lancaster.

He will be joined by Jo Berry, the daughter of Sir Anthony Berry who was killed in the blast.

Magee plotted to kill the former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by planting a bomb at the Grand Hotel during the Tory party Conference.

He was released from prison in 1999, having served 14 years, under the terms of the Good Friday agreement.

In 2000, Jo Berry met Patrick Magee for the first time.

The pair have now formed a unique relationship and will speak about their different experiences of achieving peace – a tale that has inspired the new play The Bomb, on show at the theatre in October.

The gripping drama is inspired by their story and builds towards the meeting of these two extraordinary people.

As the clock ticks a mother and daughter's relationship is thrown into turmoil as they confront the past. Together all three characters go looking for peace in a place beyond hatred and retribution.

Writer of The Bomb, Kevin Dyer said: "I was driving one day and heard a woman called Jo Berry on Woman's Hour. Her dad died in the Brighton bombing.

"She had decided not to let that hate and violence stay with her for the rest of her life. Instead she said: 'I am going to meet the man that killed my dad'."

Kevin continued: "The impressive thing about Jo Berry and Patrick Magee is that they have found a way to relate to each other. They share a platform for the promotion of peace.

"That is really impressive. I'm not saying he is an impressive person but it is an impressive partnership that is beyond a lot of people's scope.

"The bomb challenges people's perceptions – what do you do in the face of such a tragedy?

"It is apparent that Jo Berry and Patrick Magee have moved to a different place than they were 20 years ago.

"Jo Berry talks about how difficult it is to meet someone from the other side. To cross from your tribe and talk to the enemy – not many people can say they have done that.

"How do you meet someone who killed your father? And why do they have a relationship?"

A co-production with Action Transport Theatre Company, The Bomb runs at the Dukes from October 9 to 25, before touring nationally.

Tickets cost between £5-£15.50.

Jo Berry and Patrick Magee will be at the Dukes in person on October 14, talking about their experiences and journey together as part of the Dukes' 'What's the Big Idea?' strand.