Theatre show aims to bring Constable painting to life
Theatre show aims to bring Constable painting to life
George KingSun, August 16, 2026 at 5:33 AM UTC
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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 Haywain features both Suffolk and the landscape to the right of the river is neighbouring 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."
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.
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Painted in Constable's London studio on a 6ft-wide (1.8m) canvas, it depicts a scene with a horse and cart in the river and Willy Lott's House on the bank.
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."
The Hay Wain play will be staged at Christchurch Park between 19 and 22 August before travelling to the Thorington Theatre, in Southwold, 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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The Hay Wain arrives in Suffolk for first time in history
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What is The Hay Wain and why is it so significant?
Constable legacy to be honoured in three exhibitions
Related internet links
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Colchester and Ipswich Museums
Packing Shed Theatre
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
