An amazing scene played out in another language, with mostly-correct translation.
Setup and Format
- 2 players
- 2 translators (one per player)
The 2 players take centre stage, and the 2 translators (one assigned to each player) also take the stage, standing a bit to the back and sides. Each actor has complete control of their physicality, but must speak only in gibberish (use your own dialect gibberish to avoid missteps). Each translator will 'translate' the actor's gibberish into English for the audience to hear.
The actor's establish a scene, using physicality, but take turns speaking gibberish. It is important that after speaking gibberish both actors leave space for the assigned translator to translate the dialogue. After the translation is spoken, the other actor can react, perhaps speaking their own gibberish (and leaving space for the translation).
Translators should try to 'yes and' the actor's physicality, and actor's should try to 'yes and' the dialogue.
Learning Objectives
This exercise shows a back-and-forth of justification between 'gibberer' and translator. You must listen not only to the opposite player, but also the translators, while also giving time for each person to speak.
Tips
- Keep the gibberish on the shorter side - translation hits best when sentences are short and popping.
- Most of the time, justify the gibberish movements with something that makes sense (and makes sense in the story). BUT, subverting the format can also be very funny and cause unexpected results.
- Use true gibberish - you don't want to accidentally say something offensive!