Atching Tan: A BBC Radio 4 dramatisation

A BBC Radio 4 drama by Dan Allum, ‘Atching Tan’ was recorded on location on a Traveller site, with all Traveller parts cast from the Traveller community. Originally broadcast as the ‘Afternoon Play’ on 23 November 2010. Lovvie Arkley is torn. Does she marry childhood sweetheart Nelius and live a traditional yet isolated Traveller life? Or does she renounce her culture to pursue a career in the outside ‘Gorgia’ world? Drama teacher John threatens to tip the balance. ‘Atching Tan’ first started life as a 15 minute radio drama pilot on BBC Three Counties, then went on to run over three years across eight counties in Eastern England on six BBC local radio stations. The successful series helped develop Traveller writers and actors, many of whom had never written or acted before and indeed come from a culture that views drama as an alien world. Several of the Travellers developed through the local radio series were cast in this play, and a number of the writers and performers have since gone on to work at the Bristol Old Vic, Channel 4, Soho Theatre and The Royal Court. With Candis Nergaard as Lovvie, Damian Le Bas as Nelius and Brodie Ross as John. Also starring Maryanne Loveridge, Sharon Loveridge and Dean Loveridge. With music by Howard Jacques, ‘Atching Tan’ was produced by Charlotte Riches and directed by Fiona Kelcher.