It will be 23 years ago, this year, that I began fanatically watching Coronation Street. As a child of the 1980s, I'd watched Aussie soap Neighbours, and later on, scouse drama Brookside, but nothing quite caught my attention quite like Corrie. I got lost in Weatherfield that year, and I’ve never left. I devour books written by past directors, writers, and cast, immerse myself in stats via corriepedia, engage in fandom via conversation street podcast, and I'm forever on twitter, so really, you’d think I wouldn't have time to watch another soap. I don't, so I've found one I can listen to instead!
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| Paul Copley also plays 'Leonard' in The Archers |
Historically speaking, radio drama The Archers is older than Corrie having made it's on-air debut in 1951, so it's nearly 70 years old! I've only been listening for about 3 years but with daily 12 minute episodes (apart from Saturday), it is ‘bitesize’, easily digestible, and although a slower pace to our continuing tv dramas, it's no less entertaining!
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| Louiza Patikas as 'Helen Archer' |
Dispel any myths about farming folk being boring, as the families of Ambridge ( its a village a bit like Emmerdale) are full of secrets, relationships, & disasters, that can be as equally shocking, entertaining, and even headline-grabbing. In its most recent history, Helen Archer's domestic abuse storyline caused quite the media storm and actress Louiza Patikas played the part so well, ultimately the storyline that got me listening to the show. The name may not immediately spring to your attention but the very same actress plays medical centre receptionist Moira Pollock on the cobbles too!
Last week, Corrie also introduced us to Evelyn Plummer's long lost lover Arthur, played by actor Paul Copley who also plays ‘Leonard’, the love interest of Jill Archer, in the rural radio saga. Another character in the show, Peggy Woolley also has a cat called 'Hilda Ogden' which breaks the soap fourth-wall even further!
I am still quite new to the radio drama (compared with my lifetime Corrie devotion) so if anyone has any other Corrie/Ambridge links, tweet me up @rybazoxo
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