Letters not only allow us to connect with one another but they also capture that connection and that moment in time. Letters Live has been celebrating this medium for years by inviting performers to read letters aloud. Now they are inviting us to be a part of this process with their ‘Read a Letter’ campaign. I’ve shared all the details below and straight afterward you will find a shining example from Shaun Dooley to his children.

Dear Friends,

Hello. I hope this letter finds you in good spirits as we navigate this truly surreal crisis.

Since 2013, we at Letters Live have been inviting performers to bring letters to life in memorable venues around the world. With our ‘Read A Letter’ campaign, we’re opening the stage extremely wide and would love for the world (you!) to share letters to the heroes on the frontline; letters to relatives in need; letters to strangers who have stepped up and made a difference; letters to neighbouring families, streets, towns and countries; letters from teachers to their isolated pupils or to the parents who now find themselves home-schooling; letters to those in power; letters to a population crying out for words of comfort.

You could record yourself reading an important letter you have wanted to send, or a cherished letter you once received. It could be a favourite letter of yours that offers hope in our current crisis or a prescient warning too important to be ignored. It may simply be a favourite letter of yours that may brighten everyone’s day. (I am obliged to say that if you’re not reading your own letter, you must, please, ask the letter writer’s permission.)

So, all you need to do is this:

• Film yourself reading a letter. Use your phone, just as I am.
• If you’re camera shy, point your phone at something else while you read: the letter itself, the view from your window, your adorable dog.
• Before you read the letter, tell us who it’s to and who it’s from, and if you can, tell us why you’ve chosen it.
• Post the video to Twitter or Instagram or whichever corner of the internet you frequent, remembering to include the hashtag #ReadALetter and tag @letterslive so we can then share your reading. Alternatively, if you don’t use social media, send the clip to read@letterslive.com so we can share the letter for you.
• Spread the word by nominating another person to write a letter.

That’s it. Thank you in advance for taking part.

Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay at home.

Yours in isolation,
Benedict, and all at Letters Live

On the New Moon, I began a new blog series: 40 Days of Beauty, Goodness & Love, little moments of light to get us through a difficult time. If you get solace, peace and inspiration from this, please share with others who need the same.
PS In the video below, be sure to put on subtitles.