Classic Suffolk book to be adapted for the stage

A classic book exploring agricultural life in Suffolk is being adapted into "something really beautiful" for the stage.

Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village, written by the Suffolk author Ronald Blythe, gives an insight into what it was like to live in a rural village from 1880 to 1966.

Published in 1969, the fictionalised account of village life was based on interviews Mr Blythe had carried out with three generations of neighbours in Charsfield and Debach.

Made into a film in 1974, it is set to be transformed into a play by Suffolk performing arts company SHAKE Festival, which is run by creative director Jenny Hall.

"We feel really quite honoured to have been granted the rights because Ronnie Blythe was very careful with who he let loose on it," she said.

"We're all passionate about it because it gives very poor people at the bottom of the ladder a voice and that is very moving.

"It's extraordinary to link up with the past, and the memories in the book reach back to the 1880s because there are old people in the book remembering their childhood."

The voices and perspectives in the late Mr Blythe's book belong to everyone from the survivors of the Great War and young farm workers to schoolteachers and doctors.

Ms Hall and her team are now on the hunt for talented local people with "proper Suffolk voices" to bring those people and their memories to life.

"It's a really fun play, but then now and again it really catches you in the back of the throat," added Ms Hall, who will direct the play.

"It's a very flexible sort of theatre and I am hoping that there will be people around that have the time, inclination and the passion to come on this adventure for us.

"We're going to try and make something really beautiful in a small way, locally, and we'll see how far it goes."

Akenfield, written by Glenn Wilhide, will be performed at Framlingham Old Theatre, The Cut in Halesworth, Sir John Mills Theatre in Ipswich, the Food Museum in Stowmarket and Saxmundham Market Hall, between 24 September and 11 October.

Open auditions will be held between 18:00 and 19:00 BST at the Benhall and Sternfield Ex-Servicemen and Village Club for the next three Wednesdays.

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