Details

Over the course of several months in 2004 Craig Taylor immersed himself in Akenfield life - the resulting book Return to Akenfield, is a charming and insightful portrait of an English village in the 21st century. In its theatrical rendering Return to Akenfield is not only a kaleidoscopic view of a village in a state of flux, subject to the forces of globalisation, intensive farming and migrant workers but also a surprising investigation into Akenfield as a more than a geographical space but as a concept. It examines our contradictory relationship to the countryside - a place of infinite space, endless skies and yet limited possibilities. A place to escape from and yet one that we yearn to return to. Let us return you to Akenfield. A charming and insightful portrait of an English village in the 21st century. Akenfield - A book. A film. A book again. And now a searching new play from Eastern Angles. Why is it that this fictitious village of Ronald Blythe's imagining has continued to enthral, charm and fascinate audiences and artists alike, across the decades?

Cast/Performers

Sally Ann Burnett, Richard Earl, Robert Macpherson, David Redgrave, Charlotte Thompson

Creatives/Company

Author: Craig Taylor (based on Ronald Blythe's original work)
Company: Eastern Angles
Director: Naomi Jones
Design: Mika Handley
Lighting: Penny Griffin
Music: Pat Whymark