THE ARCHERS: LIVE AT 75
New Wimbledon Theatre
★★★★
“the cast are eloquent and entertaining, delivering their anecdotes that extend beyond the niche world they inhabit”
Welcome to the ‘Ambridge Flower and produce Show’. For most of you, that phrase will conjure up images of the gentle rolling hills of the Midlands, where the bells of St Stephen’s Church can be heard from The Bull; the village’s only pub. “The Archers” is the world’s longest-running drama, having aired well in excess of 20,000 episodes over the last seventy-five years. To celebrate, a live theatrical experience brings the iconic radio drama out of the studio onto stages across the UK, each performance featuring four of the actual actors from the radio broadcast. For the London leg of the tour these are Tim Bentinck (David Archer), Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter) and Ben Norris (Ben Archer). Collectively known as the ‘Flower Cast’, they are joined by the live sound-effects specialist Vanessa Nuttall.
A confession. I have never tuned into BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Archers’, which no doubt puts me in a minority of the population (I can’t help thinking that I’m an unlikely candidate to review this show). Tentatively setting foot inside the New Wimbledon Theatre I feel like an interloper. An outsider who has wandered into the wrong venue. There is no concession for the likes of me. But my worries are rapidly assuaged. Hosted by comedian Angela Barnes – who is a fireball of enthusiasm and energy – I begin to feel embraced by this quirky community, enveloped in the warmth of camaraderie; like an errant lamb nudged into the fold by a compassionate sheepdog. Of course, I am familiar with the theme music, and as soon as I hear it, I feel a vicarious nostalgia. I’m even thinking to myself that I might start tuning in each evening (or at least for the omnibus episode on Sunday mornings).
Barnes gives us a potted history of the last seventy-five years in a little over seventy-five seconds. It flies straight over my head, but it is brilliantly executed and quite hilarious. Once the four cast members are comfortably seated, amid the crates of vibrant, saturated fruit and vegetables, we are in chat-show territory. A giant video screen on the back wall is put to good use, depicting the rural backdrop. Featuring, for most of the time, a slightly curious Friesian cow watching over the proceedings, it is occasionally replaced by a llama (those who know will know, I guess).
In-jokes aside, the cast are eloquent and entertaining, delivering their anecdotes that extend beyond the niche world they inhabit. They all share the same dry humour and self-deprecation that draw the listener in. The conversation flows easily and we barely notice the cues that pockmark the exchanges. Yes, it is all prepared earlier, but it is as juicy as a lemon-drizzle cake in the village hall fete. Surprisingly little time is given to re-enacting episodes from the series. But when that occurs, it allows Vanessa Nuttall to show off her art, bringing the scenes to life using creative and sometimes surprising props. A modified bicycle pump becomes a champagne cork; an ironing board transforms sonically into any number of farm gates and barn doors. It is all quite an eye-opener (ear-opener).
Naturally there is audience participation, which is where I wonder if placing the press on the front row is a cruel joke or a clever pr strategy. But my fears subside – it is all done on a phone app. Act Two opens with a pub quiz – questions based on general knowledge of the show. I give it a go, and inevitably score nil out of five. The same app lets the audience submit questions to the cast. The most interesting (possibly planted) is whether the actors are ever recognised in public by their voices. We forget that, although these characters are household names and the theatre is full to bursting with their fans, nobody really knows what they look like. One wonders if the mental image the audience have is spoilt by, or contradicts, the reality. For me, however, there is no dilemma. “The Archers: Live at 75” is, without a doubt, directed at the fans, followers, aficionados, acolytes and devotees. But as testament to the wonderful storytelling, novices can find much to enjoy. It’s not cool, glamourous or sexy (Barnes’ words, not mine), but it has survived seventy-five years and shows no sign of letting up. They have plenty to celebrate.
THE ARCHERS: LIVE AT 75
New Wimbledon Theatre then UK Tour continues
Reviewed on 3rd September 2026
by Jonathan Evans
Photography by Carsten Windhorst
