In March 2024 Script-In-Hand joined forces with Plymouth Proprietary Library's Writers' Group to create a performance for International Women's Day

Our latest performance was inspired by a short play called “I knew they wouldn’t help…they never do” by Ruby Nation who was commissioned by the Neighbourhood Watch to write this piece.

Hence, we asked other local writers to contribute pieces about city life which particularly focused neighbours looking out for each other and the difference a stranger’s help can make.

Our title, “Matthew 22:39” was not intended to imply that only the Christian Bible focuses the importance of ‘loving your neighbour’ for this commandment forms a pivotal part of all major religions, in particular, Islam, which emphasises that ‘neighbour’ means anyone who needs you regardless of race, creed, gender or social class. The Qur’an centres on reciprocity of care and how this will create harmony and enable the building of better more peaceful communities. Buddhism likewise stresses the value of reciprocity with ‘light your neighbour’s candle and it will light your path too’. Buddha emphasises that Kindness is a profound state of being that stems from a genuine concern for the well-being of all sentient beings. 

Not only do all the world ‘religions’ command their followers to love their neighbour regardless of race, creed, gender or social status, but it is also integral to Humanism and Atheism. Hence it binds us together across the walls and divides which cause wars and terror; hopefully, such understanding, one day, will rid us of these walls. Like Blanche Du Bois, we all should be able to depend on ‘the kindness of strangers’.

After successful performances at seven venues around the area, we raised nearly £600 in donations. Most of this was given to charities nominated by the individual venues as well as a significant donation to Rethink Mental Illness Plymouth.