WE live in a time of advertising slogans and clichés, like “bucket list” and “best self” and “soundtrack of our lives”, and it can be infuriating. But the last of those really can’t be better applied than the opening bars of Henry Wood’s Barwick Green – more familiarly known as The Archers theme.

It is almost 75 years since the “everyday story of countryfolk” first entered our homes over the crackling soundwaves of the wireless, and celebrations are certainly in order as the Archer family tree continues downwards into the 2020s. Are Ben and Rosie, Dan and Doris’s grandchildren or great grandchildren? Do you remember Nigel Pargetter? What Archers character is credited with the change in the law of coercive control?

I have to confess that I have never been a devoted Ambridge follower, but I remember as a child that it always seemed to be on, and there was someone with a wonderful rustic voice who always said “Ah, me old pal, me old bew’teee.” I stopped even pretending to listen when Walter Gabriel disappeared (in 1988, says Mr Google).

So as I headed into the Barn Theatre in Cirencester, where Tim Stimpson’s new play Haywire, “A not-so-everyday story of how The Archers was born”, is getting its first outing, licensed by the BBC, I was filled with dread that Walter would not figure in the show. No spoilers here!

This is a radio show inside a radio show inside a play, so you can be forgiven for a bit of confusion as to who is who. Jonty (James Mack), a present-day Archers superfan, is determined to create a play about how it all started back in 1951, and he has sunk his savings and rented a studio and hired some part-time actors to bring it to life.

The play the audience sees is a selection of scenes from the radio play Jonty has written, performed by a scratch cast that includes an instagram star more concerned with news of her recent romantic break-up than in the script. But Abbie (Olivia Bernstone) is more than a glamorous airhead, and before long she, and her fellow actors, are finding their own characters mirroring those they are playing. Between them, Kieron Brown, Anthony Glennon, Liam Horrigan, Rosanna Miles and Geebs Marie Williams, with James and Olivia create a mass of Archers favourite characters in all sorts of settings, from the basic (and still operational) 1950s radio studio to village fetes, awards ceremonies, BBC London offices and canteens of underpaid and under-appreciated radio actors. Listen as Mrs Dale’s Diary is overtaken in popularity, and corny detective series are taken off the air.

The play will delight Archers fans, of all ages. It should have legs and they should take it touring round the country. Personally, I’d take this opportunity to change the name. Haywire might be clever ( bales, radio waves … ?) but it’s neither memorable nor does it convey the beloved longest running “continuing drama” ( NO – NOT soap opera), of all time. It continues at Cirencester until 11th October. Watch this space for the tour announcement.

GP-W

Photographs by Alex Tabrizi