Commissioned by Greenham Trust to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of its foundation, this large scale outdoor work took place in the middle of what is left of the runway on Greenham Common Airbase. A two-year project involving hundreds of local people, it was watched by around 8,000 people in September 2017.

The story focussed on the life of Peggy, a fictional character who grew up on Greenham Common in the 1930s and witnessed its turbulent history first hand. 

You can watch the full video here.

Photographs © Lee Sainsbury - Oxygen Photography 2017

Installations

As the audience walked across the Common they passed through re-enactions of military encampments through the ages, before finding themselves in a series of theatrical installations. For two hours, the installations showed chapters of Peggy's life from the age of 10 years old. It included the arrival of child evacuees on a bus, the building of a life-size glider, and a re-creation of the peace camp that was formed by women at Greenham in the 1980s, complete with police, fences and face-painting ...

Finale

As it grew dark, a finale show pieced together all the chapters of Peggy's life, showing how the events on the common had irrevocably changed her. 

The project was featured extensively on national and local BBC news, and a recording of the play was broadcast on BBC Radio Berkshire on 8th September 2017.

Written by Beth Flintoff

Music by Nick Bicat

Performance Director - Sophie Austin

Choir Conductor - Cathal Cleary

Creative Director - Rosa Productions

With a large cast of performers, choir, musicians, artists, re-enactors and volunteers. Created in partnership with many organisations including The Watermill Theatre, The Corn Exchange Newbury, Apollo Big Band, Home Front History, NOCTURN Dance, Incantata, and Newbury Choral Society. It was commissioned by Greenham Trust and supported by Arts Council England, BBC Radio Berkshire, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.