The Hay Wain: Touring Show

This highly acclaimed, atmospheric play with music has been described as East Anglia’s very own Les Misérables, 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.

This show was first staged to mark the 200th anniversary of the painting, but this year it is being re-staged as part of Constable 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of John Constable, who would become one of the most important of all British painters. 

To commemorate his life and work, Colchester + Ipswich Museums are presenting a programme of exhibitions and activities, at the heart of which will be three landmark exhibitions at Ipswich’s Christchurch Mansion. 

These will showcase rare and internationally significant artworks on loan from the National Gallery, Tate, Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Government Art Collection and private collections, including The Hay Wain itself.  

Christchurch Mansion Lawn, Christchurch Park, Ipswich.
August 19 to 22.
Gates open at 6.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm.

Also at;

Granary Garden, Flatford Mill, East Bergholt.
August 28.
Gates open at 6.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm.

Minories Gallery Garden, High Street, Colchester.
August 30.
Gates open at 6.30pm, show starts at 7.30pm.