A new musical is coming to Maidstone, and the creators need help from the residents of the county town to write it.

Townsfolk are invited to share stories from their lives for show Ordinary People, which will premiere at the Hazlitt Theatre this summer.

Award-winning composer and lyricist Darren Clark, who is writing the show, said: "They can be any stories, as small as they like, a funny thing they saw in the street, or a night out they had, it doesn't have to be a life changing event.

"We want to get a nice picture of what life is like for people in Maidstone. If you have a challenge you have over come or a funny lockdown story, or a good holiday you enjoyed, the story doesn't have to be about Maidstone."

Show bosses say Ordinary People will be a "truly unique musical experience that takes real life stories from the lives of the people of Maidstone in Kent and turns them into a truly British musical."

They add: "At its heart the show explores the idea that there is nothing ordinary about ordinary people."

The show has been supported by funding from cultural organisation Farnham Maltings and there will be four performances, between July 29 and 31.

Mr Clark said: “It’s been a really difficult year for so many people throughout the UK and across the world. We hope that this musical will give the people the opportunity to celebrate their lives and see their own stories up on the beautiful Hazlitt Theatre stage."

Show director Jenny Longley said, “This exciting performance will include a cast of professional actors and musicians, the Hazlitt Youth Theatre, The Hazlitt Dance Company and The Hazlitt Choir.

She said it "will celebrate Maidstone’s place as a hub of culture in the South East of England.

"While the show will be based on local stories, we hope that people from all over the UK will be able to relate to the everyday struggles and joys that we’ll be presenting.”

Residents of Maidstone and the surrounding area can share their stories by applying through the show website.

The deadline for submitting stories is the 30th April 2021. Selected applicants will then be invited to be interviewed by the creative team.

Under the current government roadmap out of lockdown, theatres will be open in July with no social distancing.

Indoor theatre can resume on May 17, with capacity limited to 1,000 people. It is hoped remaining social distancing rules can be disbanded from June 21.

For more information and to apply to have one of your real life stories performed at the Hazlitt Theatre please click here.

To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.

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