'From Ambridge to Afghanistan': MERL's annual lecture goes international
Monday, 14 November 2011
Felicity Finch, star of Radio 4's The Archers
'The theme of FelicityÔÇÖs lecture is a perfect way to mark the end of our year of 60th anniversary celebrations'
A star of Radio 4's The Archers will explore how the long-running radio drama has become a model for radio across the world, at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) later this month.
Felicity Finch, who plays Ruth Archer in the series, will present MERL's Annual Lecture on 24 November, with the title ‘From Ambridge to Afghanistan'. Admission is free and open to all.
Felicity, an actress and BBC presenter and reporter of features and documentaries, will be talking about how The Archers has been used as a model for radio dramas across the world.
Such series are now routinely used as a powerful tool in educating audiences through entertainment - as was the case with the origins of The Archers in 1951, when it was established as an educational tool for British farmers. She will also speak about her radio documentaries covering dramas overseas, as well as her work training actors on the Afghan radio show ‘New Home, New Life' in Kabul.
Felicity Finch said: "It's been an amazing journey for me to travel to countries like Rwanda and Afghanistan where they have their very own radio soap operas, using The Archers as their model.
"These programmers provide a lifeline for millions of listeners as they both educate and entertain through their strong storylines and characters. I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences at the MERL lecture."
The Museum is organising this year's Annual Lecture to mark the culmination of an exciting programme of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Museum.
Kate Arnold-Forster, Director of MERL, said: "The theme of Felicity's lecture is a perfect way to mark the end of our year of 60th anniversary celebrations."
The lecture is being held on 24 November at 7pm in the Great Hall, on the London Road campus. Admission is free, although tickets are required. These can be requested by contacting the Museum at merlevents@reading.ac.uk or calling 0118 378 8660. Further details are available on the MERL website.