THEATRE REVIEW: Peterloo In Rock - 53two, Manchester


Not a theatrical presentation at all, but a rock concert. The stage was set with more cables and electronics than one usually sees on a film set, and with six musicians and one narrator, and the noise levels were also very rock concert-like.

'Peterloo In Rock' does not really tell the story of the Peterloo Massacre at all - despite it being performed on the 206th anniversary of that event, in a location only a few hundred metres away from the site of the massacre, and the event's title advertising such! What it does do however is tell the story of what happened as a result of the massacre; and how it was the catalyst for reform and change even to this day. To give you some idea, the Peterloo Massacre occurred on the 16th August 1819, and the end of the first half took us to 1839, with the second half bringing us to the present day. 

The band were dressed mostly in contemporary garb, with the occasional hat nod to the period of their playing, and behind them a large screen showed pertinent images, mostly cartoon caricatures, to ameliorate and add context to their songs. Although why position the drummer in such a place so as to make his head and shoulders (as well as his microphones) impede the view of the images.

The narrator (Robert Carter) spoke most of the story giving background and historical credence to the songs that intertwined his narrative. Too much of this narration made the concert really rather pedestrian and the songs sadly, were all very samey. The whole thing would have worked much better as either a concept album (think 'War Of The Worlds' amongst others), or making it into a more theatrical event using actors and musical theatre performers to enact or re-enact certain events as the narrator spoke of them. It was visually and aurally unsatisfying unfortunately, and many of the songs, rather than progressing the narrative, were songs which could quite easily have been taken out of context and performed as stand-alones. 

The musicians were certainly highly competent in their playing, and it was obvious that they were enjoying what they were doing; and their seasoned singing voices were in the hard rock genre. But with all the hype and publicity that has ben given to this production, I felt rather cheated and let down when I realised it would not be a theatrical one. The whole event felt very tame and safe. There was no real change of dynamics, drama or jeopardy in the telling of this dramatic and poignant story.

Reviewer - Alastair Zyggu

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