Farnham Maltings is delighted to be launching community musical project Ordinary People for spring 2024.

Working with renowned composer Darren Clark, the project will produce the beginnings of a musical about life in Farnham, prompted by memories and suggestions from the public.

Ordinary People began life at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone, supported by Farnham Maltings’ New Popular scheme which funds artists in the south-east to reach new audiences.

Real stories were collected from local people and transformed into a musical event that painted a vibrant and beautiful picture of the town’s history and personality.

Now it’s Farnham’s turn. Darren Clark will collect stories to create a musical about Farnham, and Farnham Maltings needs the public’s help to make sure as many voices as possible are included.

All Farnham stories and memories are relevant – whether they’re historical recollections, or as personal as where you had your first kiss or learned to ride a bike.

Does Farnham have any local legends or myths? Is there a location or local hero that should be memorialised in song? Funny stories that pass around the community until they become infamous? From families that have been here for generations to families that moved in last week, all stories are valuable and will help Darren to paint a picture of what life in Farnham is like.

There are three main ways to take part in Ordinary People: come and watch the two Ordinary People performances – the original Maidstone production, and the new Farnham version – share your own Farnham tales that can be featured in the show, and come and tread the boards as part of the cast for the Farnham show.

Farnham Maltings has two performances as part of Ordinary People. Tomorrow (Friday) at 7pm is Ordinary People: A Maidstone Musical. This will be the original version of Ordinary People, made in 2023 by the people of Maidstone about their town. Come and see the production that started it all and be inspired to share your own Farnham stories.

Then on March 24 at 7pm it will be Ordinary People: A Farnham Musical. This will be a sharing of what the cast and crew have made so far for our original Farnham musical, using the stories and inspiration sent in by our community. Tickets to each of these performances cost £3.

To share stories, visit https://airtable.com/appN64n5tjjhkfw5m/shr3icCF4T8PKxLiY To audition for the March 23 show, email [email protected] For full details, visit https://farnhammaltings.com/take-part/community-projects/ordinary-people