THIS STORY OF OURS

Our next play was based on the infamous murder of Charlotte Dymond on Bodmin Moor in 1843 and the subsequent execution (despite the lack of any clear evidence) of her crippled lover, Matthew Weekes, a somewhat marginalised young man. Again, we grounded this in Plymouth and ‘real’ characters.

 

EVERYMAN RECYCLED

Our next project was “Everyman Recycled” – inspired by the Medieval Morality Play ‘Everyman’. It took as its theme the Climate Crisis. Using rhyming couplets and satirical exchanges, our "Every Person" was sent on a journey to explain to Mother Nature how s/he was trying to make amends for such selfish, greedy stewardship of Planet Earth. Family, Friends, Big Business, Politicians, Extinction Rebellion and Friends of the Earth all had plenty of advice to offer! The overall message of the play was, as Greta Thunberg said, "no one is too small to make a difference."

 

THE STAR CHILD

This performance was a little different - not being written by us - it was our adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Star Child” which we performed at the Plot, Stoke Damerel Church and Saltash Library during February Half Term, 2023. Although originally written for children, its themes of how we treat nature, animal life and our fellow human beings were all so relevant for us. This time we were lucky enough to have Caroline Howard with us on the flute with some haunting music which she had created.

 

 

Performances of "In Other Words" took place during May 2023 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the South West Women’s Protest - when more than 400 women joined hands across the Tamar Bridge on May 24th 1983 in a protest against nuclear weapons.

"IT SHOULDN'T

BE LIKE THIS!"

This project dealt with the current homeless/housing crisis - 60 years on from ‘Cathy Come Home’ written by Jeremy Sandford during November1963. We are indebted to those inspirational people who have talked to us from the Soup Run, Plymouth Access to Housing, Shekinah, and The Big Issue.

“

The Streets of Plymouth”, which was used in the performance, was created and performed by Caroline Howard and Geoff Preece. It was inspired by Ralph McTell’s 1969 ballad “The Streets of London.”

The backdrop was created by Mary Toon and Anna Christie.

"The Withered Arm"

 

 

Script-In-Hand’s presentation was a contemporary retelling of Thomas Hardy’s short story – “The Withered Arm” which was written in 1888 and set in Wessex, near his home town of Dorchester. We have transferred its location to Plymouth and the Tamar Valley

Script-In-Hand’s interpretation told the same story of two women from very different backgrounds – the daughter of a London politician and a Rumanian migrant worker. Their fates become entwined as a result of  the men who attempt to dominate their lives, leading to tragic consequences for an innocent child.