Sutton theatre director looking for your memories and stories of Ashfield for new production

Jack Burrows is looking to pay homage to the town where he grew up in a new play.

The 38-year-old, who runs his own theatre company called Studio 82, is asking people to submit their most prominent memories of Ashfield to help shape the story.

Jack's play, 'We Ain't Got Much' will draw on parallels and differences about how life in the town has changed over the years.

The creative piece which hopes to celebrate the area's strong community spirit will also explore how the loss of traditional industries has impacted Ashfield.

"It's about celebrating the area and getting people invested again and hoping to bring the community together all over Ashfield,” he said.

"You often hear that Ashfield is a deprived area and we don't have much but I wanted to show that what we have got in respect of community, we have lots."

The play, which is set to feature actors and backstage crew from the area, is encouraging those without previous production experience to get involved.

And Jack, who has run drop in sessions in the town for people to share their memories, explained that it has been difficult to get people to open up.

"It's been a bit tough to be honest with you," he said.

"We have had some amazing memories but not everyone has come forward so we are still chipping away at it.

"There are lovely memories about how there wasn't a lot to do and everyone made their own entertainment.

"I met a lady recently in the library and she wasn't from this area but she had fallen in love with it and the activities on offer.

"It shows that some people have been here 30 or 40 years but don't engage with the stuff that is there."

'We Ain't Got Much' will centre around a nuclear family - with a daughter desperate to leave Ashfield, a father and son struggling to find work and a mother who volunteers in the community.

Another key character will have dementia and their memories of what life used to be like in the town will draw contrasts between the past and the modern day.

Jack, who originally moved away from the area in his youth, explained why he wanted to create a new piece of writing about his hometown.

"I have got a lot of passion for my area, when I was younger I didn't appreciate my area as much as I do now.

"I was young and ambitious and wanted to get away but when I when I came back, I saw a lack of confidence and belief in what we have.

"I wanted to make people realise what we have got in this area."

Do you have any iconic stories about the town that should be re-lived?

To find out more information about how can share your memories of Ashfield or get involved with the production, email [email protected].