Barn Theatre to premiere play about radio origins of The Archers

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has confirmed the full cast for Haywire, a new play telling the story of how BBC radio created The Archers.

Written by long-standing Archers scriptwriter Tim Stimpson and directed by Joseph O’Malley, Haywire is licensed by the BBC and staged in the lead-up to the programme’s 75th anniversary on BBC Radio 4 in January 2026.

The play focuses on the early years of the drama, when a small Birmingham team recorded the very first episode above a used car showroom in December 1950.

The cast includes Liam Horrigan as Sam, Geebs Marie Williams as Jessica, Rosanna Miles as Fiona, Olivia Bernstone as Abbie, Anthony Glennon as Martin, Kieran Brown as Adrian and James Mack as Jonty.

Speaking about the project, Tim Stimpson said: “It’s been a long-standing ambition of mine to tell the story of how a small team recording above a car showroom created what is now the world’s longest running continuing drama.”

The Archers Editor Jeremy Howe said the Barn Theatre “bit our hands off” to stage the play, calling it “a love song to the early years of The Archers.”

Barn Theatre CEO Iwan Lewis added that staging the premiere recognises one of the most important moments in British radio history and a landmark in BBC broadcasting.

The production runs from 1st September to 11th October, with a press night on 4th September. Find out more by visiting the Barn Theatre website.