From the Crowd
On 16th August 2019 thousands of people gathered to honour the 200th Anniversary of the Peterloo massacre as part of From the Crowd
From the Crowd was a powerful, inclusive, immersive experience. The eyewitness accounts of those present at Peterloo 1819 and the words of contemporary protesters were woven together and performed by activists, poets and – importantly – the 800 strong crowd.
Collectively they voiced a picture of what happened on 16 August 1819 and the change people wanted to happen in 2019. At times a single voice was heard; at times hundreds of voices amplified the story and charged the atmosphere, connecting the legacy of Peterloo to what it means today.
The piece was scored by two drummers, a brass section, two choirs and 5 beatboxers with musical direction from Robin Richards, Katie Chatburn, Oliver Vibrans and MC Zani and created an epic sound score of protest, urgency and heart.
Videos
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Video of From the Crowd by Manchester Histories
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Music specially compose for From the Crowd
Photos
“Director, Evie Manning delivered a visual treat that made our hearts swell with pride and break in heartache within beats of each other. Evie also demonstrated how to be a true ally of disabled people” Disability Arts online
“Thousands gather for 200th anniversary of Peterloo Massacre” with video on Channel 4 News
“Moving and emotionally charged, comparing the grievances that drove people to protest at Peterloo with modern injustices, and a fitting way to remember what happened.” on BBC News
Public re-enactment to mark 200th anniversary of Peterloo massacre, in The Guardian
For more information, press and photos please see Manchester Histories