SHAKE is delighted to announce that the international costume maker, Constance Mackenzie has joined the creative team for the new stage production of Akenfield.
Best known as the senior costumer maker on Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, and as a daily costume maker on Downton Abbey 2, Constance was inspired to learn her craft as a teenager on reenactments at Kentwell Hall in West Suffolk.
“I fell in love with making period costumes at Kentwell Hall, when I was very young, so I’m excited to be making costumes for the first stage production of Ronald Blythe’s iconic book about Suffolk,” said Mackenzie. “In Akenfield, the villagers’ memories stretch from the first world war up to the late 1960s, so it’s an exciting challenge for a costumer maker.”
Mackenzie worked her way up as a freelancer collaborating on many films for Disney, the BBC, Warner Bros and Sky, before becoming Senior Maker on large TV projects such as Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power.
Months working at the Globe Theatre in London, the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, and making costumes for principals and chorus at Glyndebourne Touring Opera in Sussex, have given Constance an enviable expertise in her craft.
The new play of Akenfield has been adapted by Glenn Wilhide from Ronald Blythe’s iconic Akenfield; Portrait of an English Village.
Taking its lead from the 1975 film which was performed by non-professional local people, the stage play of Akenfield is being cast from within the Suffolk community.
“Casting is nearly complete.” said director Jenny Hall. “We’re still searching for the lead actor, but we’re assembling a wonderful cast.”
Produced by Hall and Liz Cook via the Benhall-based theatre company SHAKE Festival, the new play will initially be performed as 9 previews in Framlingham, Halesworth, Ipswich, Stowmarket and Saxmundham.
Tickets for Ipswich performances will be available via Eastern Angles.
All other Tickets are on sale at www.ticketsource.co.uk/shake
SUFFOLK THEATRE 