South London Cares does Script Reading!

Please note: this post is 58 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

‘All the world’s a stage…’ a quote famously shared by Shakespeare, and true as it may be – it is especially true if you find yourself at the South London Cares Script Reading Club!

Take off your inhibitions, hang your usual persona up by the door and step into character at Script Reading, a monthly Social Club and continuously changing space where the neighbours try on new identities.

From the moment a script touches the fingertips, a transformation takes place: from adult to child; from reality to fantasy; from one country to another. Women playing men and men playing women and accents attempted with some success and hilarity. At Script Reading club the sky is the limit, it’s a creative environment where drama lovers and avid readers unite.

Many scripts have been discovered through this club and the neighbours aren’t afraid to get their teeth stuck into a wide variety of genres. From trying out their best New York gangster accents in Bugsy Malone to conveying the solemn message of A Christmas Carol - however the neighbours soon livened Scrooge up by bursting into festive song!

The firm favourite is still ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’, a murder mystery play-within-a-play where everything imaginable that could go wrong, does go wrong in the most disastrous and hilarious fashion! Michael had 'great fun' exaggerating the Queen’s English for the role of the Butler!

Helen has always been a reader and really enjoys all the scripts (and the people!) she’s discovered at the club. “I just love the confidence I get from Script Reading, it’s a place where I feel safe to really go for it. I’ve tried other creative Social Clubs like dancing ones or the Choir, but Script Reading is where I feel most at home!”.

Kirsty particularly enjoys the diversity of plays that are selected and has said "Script Reading is great fun! It's a great way to unwind from the day with new and old friends. I love the cracking plays which we read over the couple of months, especially seeing other neighbours coming out of their shell. It fills me with confidence." 

Script Reading is a space for new friendships and new experiences. Theresa and Eugene have been a part of our Love Your Neighbour programme since 2016, but they hadn't been able to attend a Social Club despite wanting to and Script Reading Club running close to their home in Camberwell. But back in August 2019, Shelley, their Love Your Neighbour friendship match, encouraged and supported Theresa and Eugene for their very first Script Reading Club and fortunately they loved it! Theresa said, "It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening". 

The positive impact of the Script Reading club is undeniable and there is never a dull moment to be had! As the bestselling authors Kate Morton and Terry Tempest Williams put it: '"If you understand the power of stories, you understand they have the magical ability to refill the wounded parts of us... the power to create social change and inspire community".