The Archers - 28/12/2008

Lynda and Robert practice their cow dance. They talk about what a failure the dress rehearsal was - Mike improvising his lines and the beanstalk getting stuck! Robert assures Lynda that Alistair has the beanstalk sorted. Clarrie pops her head round Joe's bedroom door. He seems so miserable since his visit to see Alf. They had nothing to say to each other. He wishes Alf had married someone like Clarrie. Clarrie hopes that William and Ed will eventually get on, unlike their father and uncle. Joe tells her he thinks Will's still in love with Emma. Backstage at the panto, Brenda and Fallon try to make light of the problems of the rehearsal, hoping a bad dress rehearsal means a good first night. The Dame and Jack keep the audience well entertained. Meanwhile, Lynda catches her hair caught in the cow costume. Brenda finds some scissors and Lynda cuts her hair, leaving one side almost bald, as the audience starts to applaud - the beanstalk's growing. The audience shout 'chop it down' and Clarrie can hardly watch! There's a drum roll as the beanstalk falls dramatically. Robert tells Lynda it's a triumph. Ambridge has never seen the like. Episode written by Caroline Harrington.