The Voice

The Little Voice

This improv game is all about interacting with the invisible. One player acts in a scene while one or more fellow players give a voice to objects or phenomena in the environment. It's a balancing act between madness and magic, where the mind takes a break and inspiration takes over.

The Setup

• Player A: Is on stage going about an everyday activity. They're brushing their teeth, waiting in a forest or sorting paperclips.
• Player B (The Voice): Is usually offstage or at the edge of the stage. They don't embody a human counterpart but are merely an acoustic presence. They can whisper, squeak or give commands.

The Golden Rules

1. Stop knowing
The biggest mistake is having a logical explanation ready straight away. When a voice appears out of nowhere, Player A should react with genuine surprise or confusion. The impulse to immediately file the situation into a rational category must be suppressed.

2. The shared invention
The identity of the voice is built up together, brick by brick. If the voice sounds high and trembling, Player A looks for a matching object. Perhaps it's a wilted leaf on the window or a lonely breadcrumb in the palm of their hand. Once the claim is established, it is defended with absolute conviction.

3. Accept the status
The scene becomes particularly compelling when the voice holds high authority. A person who cowers before a coffee bean or lets themselves be insulted by their house key instantly creates an exciting and comedic dynamic. Let the figment of imagination have power over your actions.

The Role of the Normal Person (Variation)

A third player can be added as a reality anchor. They enter the room as an ordinary person and confront Player A about their behaviour.

• The invisible voice: If the third player can't hear the voice, Player A appears to them like a lunatic. Playing with concealing the apparent psychosis creates enormous comedy.
• The shared reality: If the third player can also hear the voice, the entire world order of the scene shifts. A psychological study suddenly becomes a magical universe.

Key Tips for Success

For the audience to follow the scene, the identity of the speaking object must be clarified early on. Either the voice itself gives a hint about its nature or Player A explicitly names their counterpart. The focus is not on cracking jokes but on being completely absorbed in the absurd claim. When Player A seriously discusses things with a depressed piece of chewing gum, the humour arises entirely on its own from the situation.