A THEATRE company in Colchester is touring a “unique and magical” play to celebrate John Constable's most famous painting.

Constable’s ‘The Hay Wain’ was painted in 1821 of the River Stour, Flatford Mill, and it’s one of the world’s most famous landscape paintings.

To celebrate its 200th anniversary, Neil Jones commissioned a play bringing the characters of the painting to life comprised of five actors and a musician. 

Neil has developed the play since 2021 so that it has a new cast and new songs, but “the story is the same.”

History- The play delves into the reality and the history of live in England in the early 1800s. History- The play delves into the reality and the history of live in England in the early 1800s. (Image: Seana Hughes)

Neil, who is the artistic director, has exciting plans for the show, which has already garnered interest from West End producers for its musical potential.

Neil said: “We wanted to tell the stories of the people in the picture, because the idea of the Hay Wain is this nostalgic, romantic view of what life was like living in the English countryside in the early 1800s.

“The reality is that it was destitute, it was abject poverty. And we thought that with the cost-of-living crisis and the economy this was a very apt story to tell.

“It flips the idea of what the painting has become on its head.”

Life- The two men on the hay cart, as well as the other figures in the painting, have been brought to life. Life- The two men on the hay cart, as well as the other figures in the painting, have been brought to life. (Image: Seana Hughes)

England in the early 1800s saw industrial revolution and the Enclosure Act, which meant many people lost their jobs and their land.

Written and directed by Thomas Edwards, the show will be performed right alongside the painting while it’s housed in Bristol, as well as at Flatford Mill itself.

Neil said: “It’s a very unique and magical opportunity for the play to be right there next to the painting, and right at the scene.”

Among the stops is Cressing Temple Barns and Colchester Castle Park.

Painting- The play was commissioned to celebrate its 200th anniversary, and is emerging again as the painting goes on loan. Painting- The play was commissioned to celebrate its 200th anniversary, and is emerging again as the painting goes on loan. (Image: Seana Hughes)

Neil commissioned the play as part of Castle Park Theatre, which is a long-standing project his company, Packing Shed Theatre, has worked closely with the Colchester Council on.

Neil is also hopeful that he will be able to perform the play in the National Gallery, alongside events scheduled for October with the painting’s return.

The show runs from August 22-31, with standard tickets £16 and concessions £14. 

https://castleparktheatre.co.uk