A couple of months ago, in between writing blocks of The Archers, I had the pleasure of joining actor Sunny Ormonde and her long-time friend and collaborator Jane James on their fabulous podcast One Stiletto In The Grave.
Archers listeners will be familiar with Sunny’s voice – or more precisely her exuberant and slightly dirty cackle – as she plays Lilian Belamy, wayward daughter of Peggy Woolley, and devoted sister to Jennifer Aldridge R.I.P. Considering I spend a portion of my life channeling Lilian onto the page, I don’t get to see Sunny (or any of the cast) very much. COVID has meant we visit recordings even less than before, and barring the occasional drinks party at Clarence House(!) writers and actors tend to be ships that pass in the night.
It was therefore a real luxury to be able to sit down (admittedly over the computer) and chat about the show. We discuss the fun of sound effects, whether silent character Sabrina Thwaite will ever speak, and of course the groundbreaking Helen and Rob gaslighting storyline, which is rearing its ugly head again in the show. And if that has whetted your appetite, there are plenty of other podcasts to listen to, including interviews with Archers actors like Felicity Finch (Ruth Archer), Kim Durham (Matt Crawford), and Madeleine Leslay (Chelsea Horrobin), as well as Guardian journalist and uber-fan Charlotte Higgins, and Academic Archers Dr. Cara Courage and Helen Burrows.
Search for One Stiletto In The Grave wherever you get your podcasts.
You can listen to my interview on SoundCloud HERE.
Tim Stimpson 