From Walford to Ambridge
6 November 2008

We meet Jack Ryder, who is playing Ryan, the compulsive gambler whom Alistair has taken under his wing.


Jack Ryder (Ryan)
in studio with Michael Lumsden (Alistair)

Jack played mechanic Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders for four years until the character's death in 2002, and he's still known for the part, but he puts his time on the show in perspective. "I've now done four years of theatre, so I've been doing theatre for as long as I did EastEnders."

When he received the invitation to work on the BBC's other (and longer-running) flagship soap, he was rather nonplussed: "I really didn't know anything about The Archers. I vaguely knew the theme tune but I wasn't sure what it was - maybe an advert for Kingsmill bread? I was having a meal with a friend when I got the offer asking me to do this Archers thing, and I asked him what it was. He said "What do you mean?! Don't worry about the money, or the journey, you've got to do it". So I rang my agent back and said yes."

Radio drama

Jack had worked on one radio play before: Soldier Boy, for BBC Radio 4, so he was at least familiar with radio drama: "It's a completely different way of working. It's nothing to do with the way you're looking, it's all to do with your voice - how you project it, how you say it - but at the same time you have to move to get the emotions out. It's a weird process. But it's very enjoyable. You can turn up in jeans, and there's no make-up or costumes to worry about. It feels very secure. If you make a mistake they can edit it easily, so it's very safe.

"And it's fast. EastEnders, being a soap, that was fast for telly, but this is very fast. The other day I came up on the train, I was in studio for no more than 25 minutes. It was over before I knew it."

And Jack found that his ignorance of the programme was actually an advantage: "It was good that I didn't really know much about The Archers, so when I met these actors who have been playing their parts for years it didn't freak me out. Because I didn't go to drama school, when I joined EastEnders I had to learn on my feet, very quickly, and I had to do the same here. Everyone was so fantastic - relaxed, laid back and friendly. It's a lovely atmosphere, and now I've got used to the place, it's second nature."

How would Jack describe the character he's playing? "Ryan's a bit of a lost soul. He needs help emotionally - and financially - and he befriends this very charming man who's holding out his hand. But even I don't know where the story's going to go."

Romeo and Juliet

Jack was rehearsing the part of Romeo when The Archers' offer came, and he's been travelling to record in Birmingham from various locations in Wales, as the production has been on tour (his final performances are at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon from 11-15 November).

That was also a job that came out of the blue: "I'd just been doing an Alan Bennett play - Single Spies - and Michael Bogdanov came to see it. We met afterwards over coffee and he offered me the part.

"It was one of those mad situations. Michael Bogdanov - he's been directing Shakespeare for over 30 years, he's worked with Alan Rickman, Sean Bean ... he's very well-known and respected.

"I had to hold my hands up - I'd never studied Shakespeare, never acted in one, so it was obviously a risk, but he said they'd been auditioning and auditioning and couldn't find anyone. "It's only you", he said."

"I'm really lucky to be doing the part. It's a vicious circle for a lot of actors, because you have to be established, but it's obviously a part for a young man. It's been going very well. The company are wonderful and Sara Lloyd-Gregory who plays Juliet is brilliant."

So is it Hamlet next? Jack smiles: "I'd certainly love to do more Shakespeare. There could be some in the pipeline."

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