Peter's Field

From the creator of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff and award-winning member of Teeside folk super-group The Young’Uns, Sean Cooney brings a bold new song cycle to The Fire Station.

Peter’s Field tells the story of one of the most pivotal days in working-class history: the Peterloo Massacre of 16th August 1819. 60,000 people gathered peacefully in Manchester to demand the vote. Cavalry charged. At least 18 were killed, hundreds injured. Women were deliberately targeted. Justice was denied for a century. This brand new show combines 19 original songs with spoken narrative drawn from hundreds of eyewitness accounts, performed by Sean Cooney alongside Rowan Rheingans and Sam Carter. It’s a powerful, immersive journey through courage, tragedy, and hope.

Sean Cooney is a three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner with The Young’Uns and creator of acclaimed theatre shows that bring untold working-class stories to life. His work blends folk music, historical testimony, and spoken word to create theatre that resonates across generations.