The Rose Theatre has been enthralled by stories of Kingston's past, in one of the most ambitious community projects seen on the subsidised stage.

Amanda Dickie, a retired freelance writer, was one of a core group of 15 volunteers who took part in Our Town: A Kingston Story, a community that ran on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, with a Sunday matinee.

The play was put together using people's memories of the town drawn from an eager pool of volunteers.

The 60-year-old said she was "Kingston to the core" and revealed her roots went all the way back to 1860, when her great-grandparents Thomas Dickie and Sophia Ashford got married in Kingston parish church.

Mrs Dickie said: "I feel strongly connected to Kingston's heritage and lucky to have performed at such a wonderful theatre.

"To have performed on the same stage as people such as Judi Dench was just an amazing feeling."

Our Town, directed by Jamie Harper and written by Ciaran McConville, was a custom-made piece that drew on people's memories of the past, experiences of the present and dreams of the future.

Stephen Unwin, the theatre's artistic director, said: "The Rose is not simply a theatre, it is a cultural centre for everybody. I keep looking for opportunities to involve residents in what we do.

"We believe this is the perfect time for residents to come together and create a piece of theatre that celebrates the town in which they live."