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.

About Ordinary People

Ordinary People began life in at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone, Kent, 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! Composer Darren Clark will be collecting stories to create a musical about Farnham, and we need 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.

Getting involved

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 brand-new Farnham version
• Share your own Farnham tales that can be featured in the show: deadline for story submission - Mon 18 March 2024
• Come and tread the boards as part of the cast for the Farnham show: get in touch by Mon 26 February

The performances

Farnham Maltings has two performances as part of Ordinary People. On Fri 09 February, we will welcome the original version of Ordinary People, made in 2023 by the people of Maidstone about their town to Farnham. Come and hear their stories and be inspired to share your own Farnham stories!

Then on Sat 24 March, it will be Farnham's turn where we will be sharing what the cast and crew have made so far for our original Farnham Musical, using the stories and inspiration sent in by our community.