Full disclosure – I don’t listen to The Archers anymore. I spent many years listening because the “everyday story of country folk” fascinated me with its emphasis on the farming world – it’s where I learnt what silage was! It wasn’t part of my daily world, and the weird and wonderful characters with their weird and wonderful voices fascinated me. But then, they changed everything as the world changed, and instead of being an information portal for farmers, it became a radio soap opera and my listening days ended. However, the programme still has its many fans, and millions of people listen every week, and their hearts start racing when they hear the familiar “Dum-di-dum-di-dum-di-dum, dum-di-dum-di-da-da! Dum-di-dum-di-dum-di-dum, dum-dum-di-di-da-da!” (there was even a sing-a-long last night). So whilst no longer a fan, I was fascinated to see what their latest live tour, The Archers at 75 – the programme was first broadcast on January 1st 1951 – was all about.
The set is supposedly the Ambridge Flower & Produce Show – it’s very bright and cheery – it’s all hay bales and fake sheep. After a pre-recorded introduction, comedian Angela Barnes takes the stage and gets the audience warmed up – she’s an über fan and tells us she was going to have the programme as her specialist subject on Celebrity Mastermind before being gazumped by someone else. In the souvenir programme there are two groups listed, the Flower Cast and the Produce Cast and tonight in Wimbledon, we got the former, so taking the stage is Timothy Bentinck (David Archer), Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) and Ben Norris (Ben Archer). They take their seats, and what follows is the foursome recounting anecdotes about the show, how they got cast, how long they have been in it, etc. This section is dominated by Bentinck, but as he’s been playing David for 44 years, he’s certainly earned the right to hog the microphone.
We then get to meet Vanessa Nuttall, who’s the person who does the live sound effects when the show is recorded. She tells how some of the effects are done using unexpected objects – for example, a rusty country gate is actually a creaky old ironing board, and she demonstrates various other tricks of the trade. The foursome then perform a specially written script for the enraptured audience to enjoy. There’s also a quiz using your mobile phone and other audience interaction before we pause for an interval.
After the break there’s a question and answer section, more cast anecdotes, more Archers in-jokes from Barnes and another specially written piece for the actors to get back into character, but this one is more of a silly comedy and has even more audience participation. There’s no doubt the audience gets value for money as the show lasts over two and a half hours, although I’m not sure that value applies to the £15 programme and the £20 tea towel!
This show at Wimbledon marks the second leg of a long tour that lasts six months and takes in thirty dates around the country. So if you’re a member of the Archers cult – and that’s what it felt like to me – then this is the show for you. As you’ll see below, I’ve given it three stars, but I’m sure the majority of last night’s audience would have given it five. For them, it’s a chance to see the faces behind the voices – for me, it was an entertaining-ish evening, but I’m afraid I still won’t be tuning in tomorrow.
Review by Alan Fitter
Join some of your favourite cast members for an unforgettable celebration of 75 glorious years of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers.
To mark this extraordinary milestone, The Archers is stepping out of the studio and onto the stage for a very special national tour. Hosted by comedian and superfan Angela Barnes and set at the beloved Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, this landmark event brings some of your favourite cast into the spotlight with live performances, on-the-spot sound effects from Vanessa Nuttall and unforgettable moments from the BBC archives.
Joining the tour are eight of Ambridge’s most beloved voices, performing in two rotating casts of four. Named in a nod to the show’s setting, the Flower Cast brings together Timothy Bentinck (David Archer), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter), Ben Norris (Ben Archer) and Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller), while the Produce Cast features Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge), Ryan Kelly (Jazzer McCreary), Susie Riddell (Tracy Horrobin) and Sunny Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy).
Along the way, you’ll have the chance to test your knowledge in The Bull Pub Quiz, sing along to the famous theme tune, put your own questions to the cast and enjoy behind-the-scenes revelations that Lynda Snell herself would be proud to draw out. And, in true Ambridge fashion, expect a little Flower & Produce Show chaos before the night is through.
Warm, witty, and steeped in nostalgia, this unique tour celebrates the people, stories and unmistakable soundscape that have made The Archers a national treasure for generations.
Experience Ambridge as you’ve never seen – or heard – it before!
THE ARCHERS: LIVE AT 75
New Wimbledon Theatre, 3 September 2026
Tour continues to 26 November 2026
