Improv, Theater and Drama Games Improv GamesImprov Game CategoriesImprov GlossaryImprov ReferencesImprov Encyclopedia DownloadsSearch improv encyclopediaImprov Encyclopedia FAQs

This improv game is in the following improv game categories:

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Gerbil

Description

Invent a silly dramatic story, and explain it to the audience. Classic example is the following: "After fixing the roof, Roger decided to clean the house, including the cage of Mary`s gerbil. He put the animal in a frying pan, from which it escaped to the roof, where it got stuck in some fresh tar. Roger put it back in it`s cage, where it got smothered by the fresh woodchips. Roger tried to use a solvent to clean the creature, but the solvent fumes cause the creature to die of a cardiac arrest. At that point Mary walks in".

This is when the scene starts: Roger needs to explain what happens, but as soon as the audience starts laughing Roger is replaced by another player who gets a new shot. The idea is to try and play the scene without getting the audience to laugh.

Notes

Don`t stick to the gerbil story - you can invent any silly story for this game.

Origin

Attributed to Keith Johnstone and described in Impro for Storytellers .

 

A ship in port is safe, but that`s not what ships are built for. --- Admiral Grace Murray Hopper


(C) Improv Encyclopedia 2002-2007

Improv Games | Improv Game Categories | Improv Glossary | Improv References | FAQ | Download | Contact