Peterloo: from page to screen by Dr Jacqueline Riding

Jacqueline Riding worked with writer and director Mike Leigh for over two years on his epic film ‘Peterloo’, including the four-month rehearsal and shoot on locations across England, from Chester to Tilbury Fort.

This talk, organised by the Parliamentary Archives, will cover a broad range of subjects, from the reconstruction of the House of Lords Chamber and parliamentary speeches to the pioneering early-nineteenth-century female reform movement (the ancestor of the suffragist and suffragette campaigns).

Jacqueline wrote the highly acclaimed tie-in narrative history, ‘Peterloo: The Story of the Manchester Massacre’ (paperback 2 May 2019). She will discuss her role as the production historian/head of research, describing how the complex story of the Peterloo Massacre was translated from archives and books to the big screen – heralding the imminent 2019 bicentenary commemorations, while bringing this important national story to greater public attention across the UK and beyond.

Please note that you will have to go through airport-style security to gain entrance. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes before the start of the talk. At busy times there is often a queue.

A free exhibition ‘Parliament & Peterloo’ will be on public display in Westminster Hall between 4 July and 26 September 2019. Attendees are welcome to view the exhibition either before or after the talk.

Image: Jacqueline Riding speaking to ‘Female Reformers’ during filming of ‘Peterloo’ at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. Photo credit Simon Mein © Thin Man Films