On Sunday 5 October, SHAKE Festival will be bringing a new stage production of Akenfield to the Food Museum
The newly completed play has been adapted from Ronald Blythe’s iconic Akenfield; Portrait of an English Village. The new play has been written by Glenn Wilhide, who lives in Suffolk full time and is best known for producing the first series of The Royle Family with Caroline Aherne, among other TV and film credits.
Taking its lead from the 1975 film which was performed by non-professional local people, and echoing the book itself with its 49 testimonies by local people, the stage play of Akenfield is being cast authentically from within the Suffolk community.
Suffolk-based sculptor Laurence Edwards has oined the creative team for this stage production and traditional and original music for the production is being composed by the young local Folk musician Finn Collinson, who will be playing live on stage with other musicians during performances.
Produced by Jenny Hall and Liz Cook via the Benhall-based theatre company SHAKE Festival, and directed by Jenny Hall, the new play will initially be performed as 9 previews in Framlingham, Halesworth, Ipswich, Saxmundham and here at the Food Museum, Stowmarket.
Food Museum, Sunday 5 October, 2025 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Tickets are available directly from SHAKE
Interested in Akenfield, why not visit our exhibition?
