Sound Roots:
Peter’s Field

“Peter’s Field is an astonishing work…a compelling, passionate performance, radio-ballad-like, evocative and haunting.”  Songlines Magazine

Peter’s Field is an epic musical chronicle by folk singer, songwriter and storyteller Sean Cooney, that tells the story of one of the most important days in working class history.

On 16th August 1819, 60,000 people gathered in the centre of Manchester. Many had walked miles to be there from all across Lancashire. They went to hear the famous radical speaker Henry ‘Orator’ Hunt who called for working people to have the vote. They were unarmed and peaceful. Local magistrates sent in the yeomanry cavalry and 15th Hussars to disperse the crowd and arrest Hunt. At least 18 people were killed and hundreds injured in the murderous scenes that followed. Women were deliberately targeted. It became known as the Peterloo Massacre. The magistrates and military were completely exonerated and it would be 100 years til working people had the vote.

Peter’s Field is born from years of research and comprises 19 original songs by Cooney performed with Rowan Rheingans and Sam Carter alongside a compelling spoken narrative derived from hundreds of eyewitness accounts.

PROGRAMME:

8pm: Sam Carter

8.30pm: Interval

8.45pm:  Peter’s Field

Sean Cooney • voice
Rowan Rheingans • violin, voice
Sam Carter • guitar, voice

This event is produced in partnership with Sound Roots, an organisation providing career pathways into folk, roots and acoustic music.

Age Recommendation:

All ages. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Price:

*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*

In advance: • Standard £22 • Student £16 • Living Support £16     (+ £2 venue levy)
On the door: • Standard £23  • Student £17 • Living Support £17    (+ £2 venue levy)

Access Information

This event is in the Main Hall, which is located on the ground floor. The balcony is accessible only by stairs.

All the ground-floor rooms are accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.