The beloved radio drama, “The Archers,” is marking its 75th anniversary by transitioning from the studio to the stage for a nationwide theatre tour. The Guardian’s food writer, an avid follower of Ambridge, met with some of the show’s stars to learn more about this exciting venture.
Susie Riddell, who plays Tracy Horrobin, expressed her immense excitement about the tour, which will feature characters such as Tracy’s husband Jazzer, the local drinker Lilian, and the criminal Brian. “It’s like a dream come true for me too!” Riddell shared, her voice echoing the broad Borsetshire accent. “I never thought I’d see the day I was interviewed by the Guardian. I’ve seen it in The Bull!”
The Bull, a quintessential half-timbered pub on the village green, serves as a humorous point of reference, a place where one might imagine characters like Fallon, the former rock star turned baker and caterer, perusing recipes. However, the writer muses that a traditional village pub might be more likely to stock “Farmers Weekly” than the Guardian. Riddell playfully suggested, “Maybe Helen left it behind?”
This theatrical endeavor promises a unique opportunity for fans to see their favorite “Archers” characters come to life beyond the airwaves.
English Translation:
“The Archers,” the cherished radio drama, is celebrating its 75th glorious year by stepping out of the studio and onto the stage. The Guardian’s food writer, an Ambridge aficionado, met her heroes to find out more.
When speaking to “The Archers” actor Susie Riddell, ahead of a nationwide theatre tour to commemorate the rural radio drama’s 75th anniversary, I am very careful not to betray my true levels of excitement. Despite being an Ambridge superfan, I still don’t want to scare the horses (nor indeed the cows, pigs, or sheep). However, Riddell’s character, Tracy Horrobin (who will be appearing with her husband, Jazzer, the local lush Lilian, and the cravat-wearing criminal Brian), is not one to hold back: “It’s like a dream come true for me too!” she confides, easily slipping into a broad Borsetshire accent. “I never thought I’d see the day that I was interviewed by the Guardian. I’ve seen it in The Bull!”
The Bull, for the uninitiated, is a half-timbered pub on the village green offering ale, artisanal food, and, it seems, copies of the Guardian. It’s a thrilling thought: I briefly entertain the idea of Fallon, the rock star turned vegan baker turned wedding caterer turned pub chef, sitting in the snug, poring over my pie recipes in the Guardian. But it’s stretching credibility to believe an old-fashioned village boozer would find room for any reading material more substantial than Farmers Weekly.
Riddell concedes the point. “Maybe Helen left it behind?”