Complaint Letter
Description
The host gets a suggestion of something to write a complaint about. The improvisers then write a complaint letter, one word at a time.
Example
Improviser A: Dear
Improviser B: Argos,
Improviser A: I
Improviser B: recently
Improviser A: bought
Improviser B: a
Improviser A: kettle
Improviser B: from
Improviser A: you
Improviser B: but
Improviser A: it
Improviser B: will
Improviser A: not
Improviser B: boil.
Improviser A: I
Improviser B: am
Improviser A: very
Improviser B: angry.
Improviser A: Yours
Improviser B: sincerely,
Improviser A: Gregory
Improviser B: Bertwhistle
–
Improviser C: Dear
Improviser D: Gregory
Improviser C: Bertwhistle,
Improviser D: Have
Improviser C: you
Improviser D: been
Improviser C: watching
Improviser D: it?
Improviser C: Yours
Improviser D: sincerely,
Improviser C: Argos.
Teaching Purpose
- Have to listen to the other players
- Commitment – get angry!
- Spontaneity – you can’t know where the sentences are going
Additional Tips for Playing
- Create a character together, you are playing one character so mimic the voice/physicality of the other player
- Keep the pace similar, it doesn’t have to be really fast but don’t think about it for too long
- Be obvious, don’t try to predict where the sentence is going
- Remember your name and the name of the thing/company you’re complaining about!
- Commit!
Variations
See other word at a time games like Word at a Time Expert and Agony Aunt.
Show Introduction
“This is called Complaint Letter. Can I get suggestions of something you might complain about?”
Origin
Well known improv game. We first saw it done by The Inflatables.
Categories
This exercise is in the following categories:
Listening.
Yes And.
Warm Ups.
Short-Form Games.
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