The true story of THE CANNONEER. She was erased by history. Now she’s back, and she’ll make sure you’ll bloody remember her?
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.
Written, directed and performed by Silvia Manazzone, the show had its preview at the Theatre in The Shed in Frankfurt am Oder, Germany, in June 2026 and a short run at the Edinburgh Fringe this August 2026. It will now transfer to London at the Barons Court Theatre from 13th to 17th of October.
About Silvia Manazzone.Silvia is an Italian actor and theatre-maker whose work blends physical storytelling, improvisation and devised theatre.
She trained at Guildford School of Acting and later at HB Studio in New York, and has worked across the UK, Europe and Mexico in theatre and film.
Since 2018, she has performed with ShakeItUp – The Improvised Shakespeare Show, which brings long-form improvised shows based on Shakespeare and had its fourth run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year.
Her screen credits include No Translation Required with Cristo Fernández, and Alla festa della rivoluzione with Riccardo Scamarcio, directed by Arnaldo Catinari.
She is the writer, director, producer and performer of The Cannoneer, bringing her love of humour, physicality and forgotten histories together in her first solo show.
What: The Cannoneer (a one-woman show)
When: 13th – 17th October, 2026
Where: Barons Court Theatre, 28a Comeragh Rd, London W14 9HR, United Kingdom
Admission: £16, concession £14
Buy Tickets: here