The Archers celebrates 75th anniversary with live show coming to Birmingham

‘The Archers is the world’s longest-running radio drama’

Fans of BBC Radio 4’s The Archers will have the chance to step inside the world of Ambridge when a special live show arrives in Birmingham as part of the drama’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

The live theatre show is set in a reimagining of the Flower and Produce Show | Credit: Fane Productions

placeholder image — The live theatre show is set in a reimagining of the Flower and Produce Show | Credit: Fane Productions

The Archers: Live at 75 will come to Symphony Hall on Wednesday, September 9, as part of a UK tour running from June to November 2026.

Hosted by award-winning comedian and Archers fan Angela Barnes, the production will bring the much-loved radio drama out of the studio and onto the stage, featuring live performances, behind-the-scenes stories and a look at how the fictional village of Ambridge is created.

The performances include live foley sound effects of specially written scenes created exclusively for the tour | Credit: Carsten Windhorst

The Birmingham performance will feature Charles Collingwood (Brian Aldridge), Ryan Kelly (Jazzer McCreary), Susie Riddell (Tracy Horrobin) and Sunny Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy), alongside live sound-effects specialist Vanessa Nuttall.

Set around a reimagined Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, the evening will include specially written scenes performed with live foley sound effects, archive material from the BBC vaults, audience questions, an interactive pub quiz and a sing-along to the programme’s famous theme tune.

First broadcast on January 1, 1951, The Archers is the world’s longest-running radio drama and has become a much-loved part of British culture, following the everyday lives, relationships and challenges of residents in the fictional village.

Charles Collingwood, who plays Brian Aldridge, said he was looking forward to celebrating the milestone with fans.

Charles Collingwood, Ryan Kelly, Susie Riddell and Sunny Ormonde, alongside sound effects specialist Vanessa Nuttall to appear live on stage in Birmingham on September 9 | Credit: Fane Productions

He said: “My character Brian would never want to go on tour; he would find it a distraction from the ongoing problems at Home Farm! I, however, am longing to celebrate the Archers 75th Anniversary with enthusiastic vigour.”

Host Angela Barnes added: “I am not just an Archers superfan, I am obsessed with all things Ambridge. So to be asked to host The Archers: Live at 75 is like winning a prize at the Flower and Produce Show and being cast as the lead in a Lynda Snell production, all rolled into one.”

The live show aims to offer long-standing listeners a glimpse behind the scenes while also providing newcomers with an introduction to the world of Ambridge.

Tickets for The Archers: Live at 75 at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Wednesday, September 9, are available now.