Fifty years after Sir Peter Hall brought Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield to the screen, his daughter Jenny Hall is now directing a fresh stage adaptation of the seminal work on rural Suffolk.
Adapted by Glenn Wilhide, producer of The Royle Family and The Camomile Lawn, the production will tour Suffolk venues from 24 September to 11 October.
Ronald Blythe’s Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village, published in 1969, is a fictionalised account of life in a Suffolk village from 1880 to 1966. It draws on the voices of three generations of Blythe’s neighbours and is widely regarded as a classic of rural literature.
The cast is made up entirely of local talent, including professional actors and individuals with agricultural roots. James Crawley plays Ronnie Blythe, joined by Helen Shand—whose husband Garrow Shand appeared in the original film—and a multi-roling ensemble.
Musical accompaniment will be provided by siblings Finn Collinson and Rowan Collinson.
The adaptation is narrated by Ronnie Blythe as he writes at his desk, recalling the characters and stories of Suffolk’s farming communities. The play spans the 20th century, exploring themes of class, religion, education, and community through intimate first-person accounts.
Director Jenny Hall said, “I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented cast and creative team. It’s an emotional journey into the past for many of us. My great-grandfather was born in a poor house near Stradbroke and my father directed the film of Akenfield in 1974. Surprisingly, it’s all too relevant now. But the play is full of humour – a very Suffolk trait.”
Set design is by internationally acclaimed sculptor Laurence Edwards, a Fellow of The Royal Society of Sculptors. Costume design is by Constance Mackenzie, with movement direction by Caroline Mummery and lighting by Paul Cook.
The production is presented by SHAKE Festival, co-founded by James Holloway and Jenny Hall in 2019. The company has previously collaborated with actors including Geraldine James, Harriet Walter, Rebecca Hall, and Dan Stevens.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
