The Archers cast are coming to Warwickshire

Fans of The Archers will be treated to an evening of laughter, song, poetry and prose tomorrow (Saturday) when cast members from the world’s longest-running radio drama serial stage an evening of entertainment for the charity’s Stratford branch, as it celebrates its 21st anniversary.

And audience members will have the chance to chat to the faces belonging to those ever-so-familiar voices after the show.

Actress Sara Coward, who plays Caroline Sterling in the Radio 4 series, said: “The show is a charmingly written celebration of comedy, songs and humour about the English countryside and our wonderful weather and is full of old favourites and anecdotes.

“It’s devised from the writings of talented greats like Noel Coward, Gilbert and Sullivan, Lewis Carroll - and even Mrs Beeton.”

Starring alongside Sara will be Brian Hewlett who plays Neil Carter in The Archers, Rob Lister (Lewis Carmichael), Sunny Ormonde (Lilian Bellamy) and Malcolm McKee (Graham Ryder).

Malcolm created the show, which is called Come Rain, Come Shine, for the 50th anniversary of The Archers 11 years ago.

Members of the Samaritans branch, which is based in Shakespeare Street, are hoping to have sold 500 tickets by tomorrow night.

Sara, a volunteer for the charity herself, said: “We have performed this all over the country, raising funds for lots of charities, and this time we want to help Stratford Samaritans celebrate their 21st birthday by raising as much money as we can for the branch.

“We are all really looking forward to it, and to meeting the audience in the bar after the show.”

Come Rain, Come Shine is on at the Levi Fox Hall at King Edward VI School in Chapel Lane, Stratford, tomorrow at 7.30pm for 8pm.

Tickets cost £15, with proceeds going to the charity. They are available from the tourist information centre in Henley Street, Stratford, or by calling 01386 593934.