David Troughton (Tony Archer)
Peggyhas told son Tony that she made a mistake with her will and is changing it to include him. Here, David Troughton shares a few thoughts about taking over the role ofTony- and his eventful first year on The Archers.
David took over the role from Colin Skipp, who retired on health ground after more than 40 years in the programme.Read the story here.
You took on the role in January 2014. How have you enjoyed settling in to Ambridge?
The offer came out of the blue. I thought I was coming back to play a Councillor, who I’ve played before. It was a nice time to come in to the programme. I felt for Colin, of course. I wrote to him and he wrote back.
Whilst I hadn’t been an avid Archers listener, I did know the characters. I especially remember the episodes where Pat and Tony discovered they had a teenage grandson (Johnny (known then as Rich)).
It has been an up and down year for Tony, but really good to play. The storylines have been wonderful – lots of light and shade.
On making the character your own
First of all, I asked for some recordings. I didn’t want to imitate Colin but it was important to me to have Tony’s voice in the back of my head. I wanted to get his rhythms and cadence.
Tony is very stalwart. A good farmer has to be. Over the months I’ve tried to make him my own. That’s all in the writing. Things were clearly going against Tony, with the wedding that wasn’t and Peggy’s will. Then with Johnny, Tony had found the farming son he’d always wanted. Ironically, it was just when things were looking up for Tony that old Otto the bull trampled him!
Have you bonded well with the cast?
The cast have been brilliant. Even when I had originally just come in to play one scene in a smaller role, the regular cast were so welcoming and open.
It must have been difficult for Pat (Gallimore, who plays Pat Archer), adjusting to a new actor after many years in a familiar acting partnership. We met over lunch and I asked lots of questions about the Bridge Farm characters. But you have to do your own research as well. Pat was so welcoming and easy to get on with, and I’ve really bonded with my fictional family (including Louiza Patikas, who plays Helen).
Joining The Archers was like getting on a moving train. I found that an actor’s instinct is a very helpful thing. It’s a speedy recording process and you’re working with very experienced actors who need little rehearsal in their roles. So I just got on with it.
On acting with real life son William (Wiggsy) Troughton (who playsTony’s son Tom)
I had no idea he’d even gone up for it! He was up for a film part, but Sean the Editor also asked him to read for Tom. Wiggsy has been performing in theatre since childhood - we’ve put on a charity family production in Stratford for the past 25 years. So we’ve worked together, but it’s unusual being opposite him in a radio studio. He was also thrown in right at the deep end, as a lot had happened to Tom in the previous few months. I’m delighted for him and I think he’ll go from strength to strength.
On being attacked by the bull – the recording process
There were several live sound effects created in the studio. I remember hurling myself against some corrugated iron (for the effect of hitting the barn wall), but that didn’t really work so I was replaced by a tyre! The bull itself had been pre-recorded with a farmer. It was rather a nice bull, so had to be coached through the gamut of sounds (Ed. no bulls were harmed!).
How much do you know in advance about your character’s fate?
None of the cast knows what’s going to happen to their character. You play each moment as it comes, without knowing the future – like life I suppose.
When I joined, Sean told me he envisaged that Tony may be involved in an accident in the coming months (I don’t know if that was there as a mutual get-out clause!). I treated the job as a trial period, anyway, and enjoyed every moment. I’m just glad Tony’s back out of hospital!
What next for the Bridge Farm Archers?
Tom is becoming very strong and proactive on the farm. I think things could be interesting between Tom and Rob, but also between father and son. Tony’s trying to become active again, still frustrated as he recovers, so there could be some healthy tension there. Of course, I don’t know though – anything could happen.
Is Tony a changed man?
I don’t think Tony will ever change. Farming is his life. He knows what he likes and won’t indulge what he doesn’t. He has been seriously tested, emotionally and physically, but hasn’t lost his stubbornness or determination. He’s a proud man.
What now for Tony, with Peggy’s change of heart over her Will?
I’m sure he feels confident that he’ll put Peggy’s money to good use whenever that day comes. Even when Peggy spoke by his hospital bedside about her regrets, I don’t think he knew then that she was about to change her mind and bring him into the will. I don’t know why she left him out in the first place. They’ve had a very complex relationship, right from his childhood with his drunk father Jack. It all puts me in mind of a certain Philip Larkin Poem about parents and children!
Are you enjoying The Archers at the moment?
The recent flood storyline was brilliant. And the way the bull attack was created sounded terrific.
It’s a brilliant programme. After many years, it feels fresh every time you listen.
You’ve been a busy actor, working in Radio and Theatre. What do you have coming up?
I’ve recently finished my run with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I’ll soon be recording my next radio project, a Radio 4 Drama called Scribblers. It’s a story about Robert Walpole and Henry Fielding (I’m playing Walpole). So do listen for it.
I’ve recorded 92 Archers episodes – so nearly my first century (I’m a cricketer so these things are important to me!)
I’m sure you’ll chalk up a few more
Ha, well that’s in the lap of the gods!
Andrew Smith is an Archers Assistant Producer.
Learn more about Tony and the Bridge Farm Archers in our Who’s Who.
