“Ha my a glewo arta hag arta Greenham, kepar dell o y’n gwyns ha pub le mayth en vy – yth esa Greenham ena.”
“And I kept hearing Greenham, it was like on the wind and everywhere I went there was Greenham.” Maggie Parks
Cabaret, community and creative protest is coming to Cornwall as we join forces with our sister organisation Greenham Women Everywhere to honour the extraordinary contribution Cornish women made to the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp.
In September 1981, women marched from Cardiff to protest the siting of American cruise missiles at RAF Greenham Common. What began as a ten-day walk became a 19-year occupation that reshaped the landscape of peaceful protest and women’s activism in Britain.
Women from Cornwall were among those who left their homes and families to live at the Peace Camp, facing arrest, eviction and hostility – united by the belief that collective, creative resistance could change the world.
Now their stories return home in Kernewek Keskesow Cabaret – an evening of theatre and music, performed in both Cornish and English, telling the stories of Cornish women and women based in Cornwall and their experiences at the peace camp.
The cabaret features Rebecca Mordan, Bec Applebee, Fiona O’Cleirigh and Claire Ingleheart, combining first-hand testimony with song to create a powerful and uplifting night of performance. With projected lyrics enabling audiences to follow along and join in, the event promises an evening of entertainment and celebration, as well as an opportunity to reflect on what the Greenham Women achieved over forty years ago.
Rebecca Mordan, artistic director of Scary Little Girls and co-founder of the Greenham Women Everywhere archive project, said:
“Greenham isn’t just history to me – my mum was one of the women who went to the Peace Camp. I grew up understanding that ordinary women can do extraordinary things when they stand together.
Bringing these stories back to Cornwall feels deeply personal. So many Cornish women were part of this movement, and their courage, humour and determination deserve to be celebrated loudly and proudly.”
Development work for the project has included workshops with Cornwall Youth Theatre and the Next Stage Group – part of Hall for Cornwall – who learned and explored the songs of Greenham as part of the creative process. Ahead of each evening performance, school and community groups will also take part in daytime workshops, connecting younger generations with this important chapter of activism and community history.
Before the cabaret, audiences are invited to step into the spirit of peaceful protest at a free drop-in exhibition and printmaking workshop.
Inside the Karavan – Scary Little Girls’ magical mobile archive of Cornish stories – visitors can explore a dedicated exhibition highlighting the impact Cornish women had on the wider peace movement. Alongside this, participants can create and print their own protest poster to take home, drawing inspiration from the bold visual language and creativity of the camp.
Whether staying for the cabaret or simply dropping by during the day, all are welcome. Entry to the printmaking workshop is free, but the Cabaret events are paid, ticketed evening events.
This project is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Below is some feedback from audience members:
“Everything about the show was a highlight.”
“I didn’t know what to expect when I booked the tickets. It’s been a fantastic show with very talented performers.”
“I really enjoyed the audience participation in the singing of Greenham songs as well as the beautiful singing of the performers.”
“I’d heard about Greenham, but I didn’t know anything about the women. I found the show very educational and emotional. It’s inspired me to go and do some Greenham research.”
“Becca’s delivery was very inclusive and very engaging. She skilfully included those with an extensive knowledge of Greenham and those newer to it. She was both informative and entertaining.”
Check out all of the upcoming events below!
