The Cannoneer at The Cannoneer

The Cannoneer is the true story of Giuseppa “Peppa” Bolognaro Calcagno, an orphan, despised by society, who dressed as a man and, with the aid of a stolen cannon, tricked the oppressor’s cavalry in occupied Sicily in 1860. Did we steal the plot from Mulan? Well no. It’s documented history. She received a medal for military valour from the newborn Kingdom of Italy but was then, very conveniently, forgotten.

Now she’s back, ready to tell her story.

Blending remarkable historical anecdotes with clowning and audience participation, The Cannoneer brings Peppa’s rebellious spirit to the stage and asks who gets remembered, who gets forgotten, and ultimately brings the question to the audience: who gets to write history.