Playing the role of Charles W Ethelstone, a 19th-century magistrate who presided over Peterloo, Eccleston read the riot act, warning those gathered to disperse in order to prevent “tumults and riotous assemblies”. Talking beforehand, Eccleston said he supported the campaign for a permanent memorial to the massacre. He had walked from Hyde to the memorial event, and read out the story of one of the victims from his constituency. “Of course children should be taught about the Peterloo massacre in schools,” he said. Peake was taking a break from filming Mike Leigh’s film about Peterloo, due for cinematic release next year.

Source: The Guardian August 20, 2017 15:22 UTC