The Hay Wain Theatre Production at Blaise Museum

The Hay Wain was first staged at Flatford Mill, on the Essex/Suffolk borders at the location of John Constable’s renowned painting. It coincided with the 200th anniversary of the painting in 2021. 

This highly acclaimed, atmospheric play with music has been described as East Anglia’s very own Les Miserables, bringing to life the people that populate the picture, lives defined not by simplicity and virtue, but by hardship, hope and resilience. Turning the traditional, bucolic, chocolate box ideal of The Hay Wain on its head, you’ll never look at the landscape in quite the same way again. 

Now, Packing Shed Theatre’s The Hay Wain comes to Bristol alongside its namesake, as part of the programme accompanying the National Gallery’s ‘National Treasures’ project at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. 

You can choose to see it open air on 14 or 15 August at the amphitheatre in the grounds of Blaise Museum – a rare opportunity to see live performance in this little known haven. Or to enjoy it in the grand setting of Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on 16 or 17 August, with a chance to view the real painting in the adjoining gallery.  

Packing Shed Theatre makes work inspired by the East with people from the East, whether that’s site specific verbatim theatre inspired by migrants both young and old; the retelling of ancient myths and legends in modern settings; or an audio podcast prequel to George Orwell’s 1984, called 1954, which is available now on Spotify. 

Check us out at packingshedtheatrecompany.co.uk 

Upcoming dates:

• Wednesday 14 August, 7pm
• Thursday 15 August, 7pm

With thanks

With thanks to HR World, The CR Group and Maru for sponsoring the Bristol exhibition.

We are very grateful to The National Gallery for sponsorship of the events programme through their NG200 celebrations of the gallery’s bicentenary. This event is part of a programme to accompany the National Treasures: Constable in Bristol “Truth to Nature” exhibition at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery.