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Theatre show aims to bring Constable painting to life

George King
Packing Shed Theatre A cast of actors during a performance in front of a brick wall belonging to a castle. On the left, one of the actors is sitting. On the right, three male actors are standing while a female actor sits down. Packing Shed Theatre
The Hay Wain will be performed across Suffolk and Essex throughout August

A theatre performance inspired by The Hay Wain aims "bring to life" the people that populate John Constable's famous painting.

The Hay Wain, being staged by Packing Shed Theatre, a company in Colchester, Essex, will explore what "lies beneath the idyllic brush strokes".

The 1821 oil painting depicts a rural scene next to the River Stour in Flatford, Suffolk, the county in which the landscape artist was born 250 years ago

Neil Jones, Packing Shed Theatre's artistic director, said the performance would turn the "traditional, bucolic chocolate box ideal" of the revered piece on its head.

The Hay Wain features both Suffolk and the landscape on the other side of the river in Essex.

"Our show invites audiences to take a closer look at Constable's painting, from the inside out, telling the story of the people in the picture itself, rather than Constable and how he created it," Jones said.

"In our show we reveal what lies beneath the idyllic brush strokes - bringing to life the people that populate the painting, lives defined not by simplicity and virtue, but by hardship, hope and resilience."

Qays Najm/BBC A large oil painting displayed on a wall as part of an art exhibition. The painting depicts a rural scene with a horse and cart moving through a river. There is a cottage on the left bank of the river. Qays Najm/BBC
The Hay Wain is currently on display at Christchurch Mansion, in Ipswich

The first run of shows will take place at Christchurch Park, Ipswich, close to Christchurch Mansion where The Hay Wain is currently being exhibited.

Loaned by the National Gallery, it has been put on display in the county for the first time as part of Colchester and Ipswich Museums' Constable 250 celebrations.

Painted in Constable's London studio on a 6ft-wide (1.8m) canvas, it depicts Willy Lott's House next to the millpond just off the river, which has a horse and cart in it.

Getty Images A self portrait of John Constable. It is a black and white chalk and pencil drawing. He depicted himself with dark hair that rests over his forehead and he wears a dark jacket with a large collar and a white cravat around his neck. He is expressionless and has dark eyes. Getty Images
John Constable, shown in a self portrait from about 1800, died in 1837 in London aged 60

It was one of many works Constable, who was born in 1776 in East Bergholt, produced of the Suffolk countryside and around the River Stour.

As a result, the area became termed Constable Country.

However, during his career he sold very few pieces due to his scenic paintings not being fashionable.

A spokesperson for the theatre show said: "This highly acclaimed, atmospheric play with music has been described as East Anglia's very own Les Miserables...

"You'll never look at the landscape in quite the same way again."

Packing Shed Theatre Two male actors performing while perched on what looks like a bench in front of a brick wall belonging to a castle. They are looking at each other.Packing Shed Theatre
Packing Shed Theatre produces work inspired by the East of England with performers from the region

The Hay Wain play will be staged at Christchurch Park between 19 and 22 August before travelling to the Thorington Theatre, near Halesworth, the next day.

It will be performed at Promenade Park, in Maldon, Essex on 26 and 27 August, Flatford Mill on 28 August, Hadleigh Old School on 29 August and at the Minories Garden in Colchester on 30 August.

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