A Farnham theatre company is appealing for memories and images of Second World War-era Farnham to inform its twist on a Shakespeare classic.

After a triumphant sell-out run of Little Women at the Farnham Maltings this June, Key Players is gearing up for another immersive theatrical experience in June 2024.

The new production will transport audiences back to the early 1940s with a unique adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

In a bold twist, the production will explore the wartime experiences of Farnham by gender-reversing most of the roles. Male characters will be portrayed by females, and vice versa, providing a fresh perspective on the crucial role local women played during the war.

The adaptation involves in-depth research into Farnham’s history to ensure authenticity, and Sophie Key, creative director, is appealing for memories and images from the wartime era in Farnham. 

She is eager to collect stories related to various aspects of life during the war, including the British Restaurant on Gostrey Meadows, the open-air dances at Brightwells, activities in the Women’s Voluntary Service, the Land Army Girls in Farnham, the Canadians stationed at Moor Park or Aldershot, the Home Guard in Farnham, and any events that took place at the Farnham Maltings during the war.

If you or your family have any stories to share, whether first hand or passed down through generations, Sophie Key encourages you to email her at [email protected]

Your memories could contribute to the authenticity and richness of this upcoming production, providing a unique glimpse into Farnham’s wartime past.