£20 Stories
At the end of The Price of Everything, a member of the audience gets £20 and a challenge: use it to give a gift to someone you've never met.
I randomise this by asking someone in the front row to give the money to "the most generous-looking member of the audience (anyone volunteering is automatically disqualified)."
I hope that one of these acts of kindness, one day, will have a snowball effect.
Here are some of the stories that have come in so far:
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"I bought snacks and drinks which I left for people to take as they went along a towpath. I asked them to pass on the act of kindness." - Janet (this was from the very first show, at Greenbelt Festival, so I feel particularly warmly towards it) |
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And here's what Bernard himself texted me subsequently to say:
"I decided to buy two tickets for the Dukes' production of Two. I gave the tickets to two ladies who were walking past my house. As a result, I gained two new friends, the Dukes gained two new customers - and £20 income, which will help them book you again on your next tour (which I will look forward to." - Bernard Gladstone (Lancaster) (Bernard has correctly got the measure of how cheap I am) |
Kieran Buckeridge and Ella Vale in the Dukes' Theatre production of two, directed by Louie Ingham. They all came too, but none of them got the cash.
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"Saw you at Greenbelt. Encouraged to do more. I used to, but somehow became a grown-up and stopped. Glad to report (and thank you for your humorous push), I have bought numerous coffees in cafes for strangers, given three people lifts in bad weather, adopted a pensioner, and paid course fees for college for someone. Not sure if it's what you wanted texting, but hey ho! I'm having fun enjoying being grateful for what I have and enjoying the fun of sharing spontaneously! It's taken years off me and improves the area I live! Thank you."
- Rhiannon (six months after the show - and she didn't even get the £20) |
"The whole thing provoked a lot of discussion in the Emmerdale story office. £10 went to our neighbours at Magic 828 for their Christmas appeal - buying a present for a child in poverty in Leeds. £5 went on scratchcards that were randomly put through doors in North Leeds, asking the recipients to pass on the good fortune to someone they'd never met if the scratchcard was lucky for them. The final £5 got a homeless guy into a gig in Bradford."
- Cathianne (Leeds. She has promised to let me know if the discussion in the Emmerdale story office makes it to the screen.) |
"I finally got the courage to give away the £20 from your show (months later!) and wish I had a more interesting story to tell. Unfortunately the moment came on my way out of Waitrose where a man sits, often asking for money. I bought him some food and gave the rest of the £20 to him to get a room for the night (whether or not that is where the money went who knows!). Anyway, he was very grateful.
"But the main thing I learnt in this whole affair was how difficult I found it to act generously. I was often too frightened of how someone might react and it stopped me from giving the money away in many more interesting situations that presented themselves.
"So there you go, maybe I'm a wimp, but being generous to a stranger is hard."
- Hannah (London)
"But the main thing I learnt in this whole affair was how difficult I found it to act generously. I was often too frightened of how someone might react and it stopped me from giving the money away in many more interesting situations that presented themselves.
"So there you go, maybe I'm a wimp, but being generous to a stranger is hard."
- Hannah (London)
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"A woman and her dog stood outside Greggs in Guisborough High Street. She obviously wanted something but couldn't go in because of her dog. I got her shopping - pie and cake - probably her lunch - and gave her all her money back. And just said that's on me, have a good day."
Wendie (Stockton) |
"I didn't get the £20 you put in an envelope but because I saw the show, yesterday I bought four pantomime tickets from the Theatre Royal and gave them to a couple with two young kids I saw in town."
Andy (Newcastle) |
"Dear Daniel. I have been asked by Mrs Halpern to thank you for the lovely flowers that were purchased on your behalf for her. They were lovely x"
(see above right - I assume) |
"Bought a Big Issue and gave the seller the £20. She was v surprised.
Sharon (Edinburgh) |
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"After your show my friend and I headed to the gardens by Waverley Station, where she could scribble postcards and I could practice the national sport (though not recognised in the Olympics... yet) of people watching. Noticed a guy drawing the Scott Monument, clearly had been there for a while judging by his progress. So when we walked past I stopped, smiled and handed him a lolly, saying I thought it might help. The look of confusion cannot be doubted... but neither could the smile or the thank you. I plan to continue the lolly giving."
Katy (Edinburgh) |
"I was the lucky recipient of the £20 and bought two huge bunches of beautiful flowers. I gave them both to a lady who seemed rather overwhelmed, but said that it was very kind of me and asked if I would like one of the bunches for myself."
Steph (Edinburgh) |
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"I kept 17p for myself because I hate milk. (I am an economist after all.) With the rest I bought two bottles of wine and chose two queues, the Traverse and the Pleasance. The Traverse were more suspicious, but grateful. The Pleasance was pleasing. I asked who was celebrating a birthday. The recipient was excited and told me that they do the same thing: Happy Friday, when they buy bus tickets for others, or cups of coffee. Hope in the world, I think." V (Edinburgh) |
"This is what happened to yesterday's £20. A little girl has just picked it up and taken it away with her family. Just to spoil the magic, I did have to let her mum know she could keep it after she said 'no, it's not for you!' They were really happy."
Louise (Edinburgh) (see pic below for what's inside) |
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"I wonder where that £20 got to? As for me, I paid someone else's bill in the photo studio for no reason!"
Anon, Beacons Festival |
"Decided to give £10 to a homeless person in Chiswick and spend the rest on Big Issues and leave them on benches with a suitable note about the show. We know the homeless man so we cheated a bit. But we know he will use it and he cheers up the Chiswick housewives!"
Lucas (aged 12) (Edinburgh) |
"Used to buy food and coffee for four people sleeping on the street in London."
Anon (Edinburgh) |
"There was much debate with my family as to what we should do with the £20.
On Monday morning we went on a tour of the Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile, a fascinating introduction to the history and gardens of Edinburgh in and around Canongate. As part of the tour we were shown some of the many community gardens, tended by local residents, but open to all. The tour guide, Jean Bareham, was so good and well-informed that we agreed to give her the money. We hope she will give it to one of the community gardeners, which in turn will benefit more people in Edinburgh during their everyday lives. The website for Jean and her tours is www.greenyondertours.com and of course we recommended she come to see the show."
Mark (Edinburgh)
On Monday morning we went on a tour of the Hidden Gardens of the Royal Mile, a fascinating introduction to the history and gardens of Edinburgh in and around Canongate. As part of the tour we were shown some of the many community gardens, tended by local residents, but open to all. The tour guide, Jean Bareham, was so good and well-informed that we agreed to give her the money. We hope she will give it to one of the community gardeners, which in turn will benefit more people in Edinburgh during their everyday lives. The website for Jean and her tours is www.greenyondertours.com and of course we recommended she come to see the show."
Mark (Edinburgh)
"My random act of kindness was to send flowers to a care home in Stirling. It's near where my grandmother, who died this year, lived. It was the first that came up on google. I addressed them to A Resident and asked for them to be given to someone who doesn't get flowers often."
Bridget (Edinburgh)
Bridget (Edinburgh)
"Dear Daniel
My name is Terry Greenwood from Leicester. I was the lady who called you after seeing your show 'The Price of Everything' at De Montfort University on the last night of their Cultural Exchanges Festival. I was also the lady chosen to receive your £20 and to let you know how it was spent.................
We tried to spread your £20 as thinly as possible so that your 'Good Deeds' message would reach as wide an audience as possible and here are the results of a very enjoyable project..........
Pot of budding mini-daffodils.
Sent via my hairdresser to a lady aged 85 next week, now unable to come to her salon so she goes to the lady's house. Phil (aged 85) was delighted with her gift from you and asked my hairdresser to take a photo of her with the pot of flowers so I could see her smile ........... SHE DID LOOK HAPPY !!
Cost £1
Pot of budding mini-daffodils.
Given to the infant section of our local school so the tiny tots could see the magic of these beautiful flowers unfolding day-by-day. School delighted with the prospect.
Cost £1
We saw a little old lady buying prawns when I went to buy my eggs at the fish market (she may have been a little bit deaf). Her bill was £2 and she was a bit flustered when I tried to pay her bill with mine. She thrust her £2 towards the fish seller but I popped it back into her open bag. The lady just stared at me strangely and walked away without a word ! However, the lady behind the counter said 'Thanks very much' and gave a big grin !!!!!
Cost £2
Our local Leicester Mercury prints two-for-the-price-of-one vouchers for the Phoenix Cinema on a Monday night. I bought a Mercury so I could pass on the voucher to the next couple who didn't have one of their own. I spent 20 minutes before the film started, looking like a dope lurking and waiting for such a couple to come in but everyone had their own. Obviously a savvy lot here in Leicester. However, I gave it to the girl at the box office to distribute to the next needy pair and hope that it worked.
Cost 50p.
2 scratch cards @ £1 each.
Gave one card to the last person in my queue who was dressed as a construction worker. Such workers are having a hard time in this economic climate so he seemed a deserving cause. He was startled but then smiled and said 'Thank you so much' when I told him I was just passing on a good deed.
Gave one card to a very harassed young Dad. He was coming into the supermarket with two little kids in a double pushchair. One little girl was sucking her thumb and dragging her blanket along the ground, both kids were howling and trying to get out of the pushchair. I thought he too was a deserving cause and he said a hasty 'Thanks' before he quickly stretched out his arm to pop his little one back in the pushchair.
Total cost £2
Box of Cadbury's Dairy Box chocolates
Given to a lady who arranges 'Travel Tales', talks and films/slides from people who have taken holidays in far-flung places. These talks are provided for retirees in the local Further Education Centre. This lady who arranges the talks (we've just been to our first one) had been off sick with 'flu for a couple of weeks and looked like chocolates were the ideal medicine for her.
She smiled her thanks.
Cost £2 (on offer in Sainsbury's)
Cadbury's Milk Tray bar
Given to a bus driver on my way in to town with a GOLDEN TICKET sellotaped to the back and the message which said:
"Dear Bus Driver. If you have enjoyed this chocolate then SMILE and please pass on your smile to your next five passengers"..
On my way off the bus he smiled and said 'Thanks a lot for the chocolate, much appreciated".
Cost £1.
Cadbury's Milk Tray bar
Given to a traffic warden in a local car park because everyone usually hates traffic wardens (good idea of my husband's). Naturally the traffic warden was most surprised and said this was not normal and he was 'chuffed'. He wanted to know who was the person behind the 'good deed' that I was passing on. I think he thought he might know the donor. So, I told him about your story/performance and your hope that it might lead to a chain of other good deeds. He really liked the tale and said that this was how things SHOULD BE..... and he smiled a big smile. I'm sure he WILL pass it on.
Cost £1 (a real bargain for good result)
7 pairs of warm socks from Tesco
Given to a young lad who was selling The Big Issue on a windy road on a perishing day with a note that said: "Hope these socks give you a smiley face as well as toasty toes".
Shayne (as was his name) was absolutely delighted and really appreciated extra socks to keep him warm.
I also gave him £2 for The Big Issue but didn't take the publication. Told him to re-use and re-recycle it so he could have it as a bonus.
Cost £6 for the socks + £2 for The Big Issue. Total £8
"Howlers" Joke book
Given to a random barrister, gowned and wigged, having a cigarette outside the County Court between cases. I said he might appreciate a bit of humour that would be well outside his normal day-to-day experience. He seemed to agree, thanked me and instantly started to read it.....
Cost £1.99 (say £2)
Last but not least, because milk made such a presence in your performance, I've just left a receipt for a pint of milk bought, from you, at my local Co-op for the next little old lady who comes in to buy cat food. It is in a clear plastic bag with a note attached that says: "Daniel hopes that this little gift will put a smile on your face as well as that of your cat's".
The kind young girl at the till will give her a fresh pint when the time comes. Hope this makes you smile too .......
Cost 59p
Hope this MISSION ACCOMPLISHED meets with your approval.
Best regards and we'll watch out for your show at the Edinburgh Festival in August.
Terry (Leicester)
My name is Terry Greenwood from Leicester. I was the lady who called you after seeing your show 'The Price of Everything' at De Montfort University on the last night of their Cultural Exchanges Festival. I was also the lady chosen to receive your £20 and to let you know how it was spent.................
We tried to spread your £20 as thinly as possible so that your 'Good Deeds' message would reach as wide an audience as possible and here are the results of a very enjoyable project..........
Pot of budding mini-daffodils.
Sent via my hairdresser to a lady aged 85 next week, now unable to come to her salon so she goes to the lady's house. Phil (aged 85) was delighted with her gift from you and asked my hairdresser to take a photo of her with the pot of flowers so I could see her smile ........... SHE DID LOOK HAPPY !!
Cost £1
Pot of budding mini-daffodils.
Given to the infant section of our local school so the tiny tots could see the magic of these beautiful flowers unfolding day-by-day. School delighted with the prospect.
Cost £1
We saw a little old lady buying prawns when I went to buy my eggs at the fish market (she may have been a little bit deaf). Her bill was £2 and she was a bit flustered when I tried to pay her bill with mine. She thrust her £2 towards the fish seller but I popped it back into her open bag. The lady just stared at me strangely and walked away without a word ! However, the lady behind the counter said 'Thanks very much' and gave a big grin !!!!!
Cost £2
Our local Leicester Mercury prints two-for-the-price-of-one vouchers for the Phoenix Cinema on a Monday night. I bought a Mercury so I could pass on the voucher to the next couple who didn't have one of their own. I spent 20 minutes before the film started, looking like a dope lurking and waiting for such a couple to come in but everyone had their own. Obviously a savvy lot here in Leicester. However, I gave it to the girl at the box office to distribute to the next needy pair and hope that it worked.
Cost 50p.
2 scratch cards @ £1 each.
Gave one card to the last person in my queue who was dressed as a construction worker. Such workers are having a hard time in this economic climate so he seemed a deserving cause. He was startled but then smiled and said 'Thank you so much' when I told him I was just passing on a good deed.
Gave one card to a very harassed young Dad. He was coming into the supermarket with two little kids in a double pushchair. One little girl was sucking her thumb and dragging her blanket along the ground, both kids were howling and trying to get out of the pushchair. I thought he too was a deserving cause and he said a hasty 'Thanks' before he quickly stretched out his arm to pop his little one back in the pushchair.
Total cost £2
Box of Cadbury's Dairy Box chocolates
Given to a lady who arranges 'Travel Tales', talks and films/slides from people who have taken holidays in far-flung places. These talks are provided for retirees in the local Further Education Centre. This lady who arranges the talks (we've just been to our first one) had been off sick with 'flu for a couple of weeks and looked like chocolates were the ideal medicine for her.
She smiled her thanks.
Cost £2 (on offer in Sainsbury's)
Cadbury's Milk Tray bar
Given to a bus driver on my way in to town with a GOLDEN TICKET sellotaped to the back and the message which said:
"Dear Bus Driver. If you have enjoyed this chocolate then SMILE and please pass on your smile to your next five passengers"..
On my way off the bus he smiled and said 'Thanks a lot for the chocolate, much appreciated".
Cost £1.
Cadbury's Milk Tray bar
Given to a traffic warden in a local car park because everyone usually hates traffic wardens (good idea of my husband's). Naturally the traffic warden was most surprised and said this was not normal and he was 'chuffed'. He wanted to know who was the person behind the 'good deed' that I was passing on. I think he thought he might know the donor. So, I told him about your story/performance and your hope that it might lead to a chain of other good deeds. He really liked the tale and said that this was how things SHOULD BE..... and he smiled a big smile. I'm sure he WILL pass it on.
Cost £1 (a real bargain for good result)
7 pairs of warm socks from Tesco
Given to a young lad who was selling The Big Issue on a windy road on a perishing day with a note that said: "Hope these socks give you a smiley face as well as toasty toes".
Shayne (as was his name) was absolutely delighted and really appreciated extra socks to keep him warm.
I also gave him £2 for The Big Issue but didn't take the publication. Told him to re-use and re-recycle it so he could have it as a bonus.
Cost £6 for the socks + £2 for The Big Issue. Total £8
"Howlers" Joke book
Given to a random barrister, gowned and wigged, having a cigarette outside the County Court between cases. I said he might appreciate a bit of humour that would be well outside his normal day-to-day experience. He seemed to agree, thanked me and instantly started to read it.....
Cost £1.99 (say £2)
Last but not least, because milk made such a presence in your performance, I've just left a receipt for a pint of milk bought, from you, at my local Co-op for the next little old lady who comes in to buy cat food. It is in a clear plastic bag with a note attached that says: "Daniel hopes that this little gift will put a smile on your face as well as that of your cat's".
The kind young girl at the till will give her a fresh pint when the time comes. Hope this makes you smile too .......
Cost 59p
Hope this MISSION ACCOMPLISHED meets with your approval.
Best regards and we'll watch out for your show at the Edinburgh Festival in August.
Terry (Leicester)