BBC ARCHERS CAST SUPPORT APPEAL
The first ever promenade show we did at The Watermill was The Archers. We were approached by a TV production company who together with us discussed possibilities of transforming Bagnor into AMBRIDGE! We had the pub – The Blackbird – and we had the farm at the rear of the theatre, and we had the village hall – in the shape of the auditorium!
The original radio producer, William Smethurst adapted the piece – and we used the radio actors – those whose credibility would stand up on stage – some had never been on a stage before. Three weeks before opening we nearly aborted as it was all such a disaster – or seemed to be – however we hung on in there!
It turned out to be the most brilliant smash hit. We moved the audience from the theatre across the car park – using a tractor and low loader for those who couldn’t walk far, to follow what had been an accident at the farm as someone had been buried under a fall of hay at the farm! The St John Ambulance provided an ambulance with bells ringing! EVERY NIGHT! And took the body away diligently!
The show carried on with Shula and David welcoming everyone back down to the village green for a fair where we had welly wanging and a beer tent and barbecue and WI stalls and maypole dancing.
One evening – by mistake – the next door Friesian bull escaped imprisoning all the audience in the field until we could get it recaptured.
Those were fun days – unforgettable – unrepeatable whatever anyone says. That’s what makes theatre so special - it’s the one-off experience that you enjoy as a member of an audience that can never be repeated however hard you try recording it!
Jill Fraser MBE in January 2006 reminiscing about the day the village of Bagnor and The Watermill became Ambridge!
NORMAN PAINTING - PHIL ARCHER
"We performed at the Watermill every night in perfect weather except for a storm on our last night. If the English countryside is paradise, then the Watermill is a corner of paradise. The world couldn't hold a more heavenly place."
PATRICIA GREEN - JILL ARCHER
"I stood in the foyer each performance looking at the churning waters under the millstone. I went forward into the auditorium propelled by a sort of inspiration from their power. Afterwards I drank wine by candlelight overlooking he garden - magic."
ALAN DEVEREUX - SID PERKS
"One of the most beautiful and individual theatres in the country. I have a photograph taken on stage; dreadful though I look, I'll always keep it for the memory of that glorious time and place."
CHARLES COLLINGWOOD - BRAIN ALDRIDGE
"I wish Home Farm was like The Watermill."
TREVOR HARRISON - EDDIE GRUNDY
"I have lovely memories of The Watermill. As a keen bird-watcher I spent many a happy hour with my binoculars watching the birds and standing behind the theatre watching the trout catching the mayfly were most marvellous moments. The Archer's cast had a wonderful time there and for me it was one of the most magical times of my life, living in the cottage in idyllic surroundings seemed to me like a working holiday."
ELIZABETH DOWNING - ELIZABETH ARCHER
"The Watermill will always be Ambridge for me. As an urban girl, I have never lived in the country so staying at The Watermill is the only reference I have. I well remember dashing around the lanes near The Watermill in a Mr Whippy ice cream van, doing more miles per hour than was legal and kissing in haystacks ( all scripted I hasten to add). So as I stand in the new Pebble Mill studios recording The Archers I always summon up The Watermill and happy country times."
For more information about the Save The Watermill appeal contact Susan Foster on 01635 570928
or e-mail appeal@watermill.org.uk
To make a donation to the Save The Watermill appeal click here