Clowndance Syllabus
Game: Saving the Show (with Secrets)
A solo performer enters the space, accompanied by a piece of music. We greet them warmly with applause, whoops and cheering as they enter.
While the music is playing, you dance to it in whatever way you choose. When the music cuts out (which it will) you need to do whatever you can to save the show. When I feel like we've seen enough of whatever that is I will bring the music back in. The music may stop and start several times. The game ends when the music ends and again we applaud wildly.
When saving the show you can use speech, and you can use the space however you like, the only rule is that you must leave the audience where they are- you cannot recruit people to get up on stage with you.
Then…
A development of this game is that before you get up to perform, someone else whispers a ‘secret’ to you- a little idea to hold in your head that you can use, if you choose, to help you save the show. It could be a nice secret- ‘you are wearing the world’s fanciest earrings’ or a nasty one- ‘you are suddenly struck with diarrhoea’.
Reflection
What did we enjoy?
What did we hate?
What did we want more of?
What was the relationship between the dancing and the not-dancing?
While the music is playing, you dance to it in whatever way you choose. When the music cuts out (which it will) you need to do whatever you can to save the show. When I feel like we've seen enough of whatever that is I will bring the music back in. The music may stop and start several times. The game ends when the music ends and again we applaud wildly.
When saving the show you can use speech, and you can use the space however you like, the only rule is that you must leave the audience where they are- you cannot recruit people to get up on stage with you.
Then…
A development of this game is that before you get up to perform, someone else whispers a ‘secret’ to you- a little idea to hold in your head that you can use, if you choose, to help you save the show. It could be a nice secret- ‘you are wearing the world’s fanciest earrings’ or a nasty one- ‘you are suddenly struck with diarrhoea’.
Reflection
What did we enjoy?
What did we hate?
What did we want more of?
What was the relationship between the dancing and the not-dancing?
Saving the Show is adapted from a game by Jon Davison, from his book Clown Training (2015)
Secrets is adapted from a game by John Wright, from his book Why is That So Funny? (2006)
Secrets is adapted from a game by John Wright, from his book Why is That So Funny? (2006)