Shift

Four players are on the stage in a square with edges of 1,5 to 2 meters.They form a metaphorical revolving door with in between each door, two players. First, for every combination of players a suggestion is asked. This can be an object, a dilemma, a relationship, etc. The two players in the front start their scene with a free improvisation based on the suggestion.

The players in the back, or the judges, decide when it is time to ‘shift’. To turn the player(s) in the back shout(s) ‘plus one’ or ‘minus one’. With steps of one a former player appears in the new scene; they keep their pose, but they have a whole new role. In this new scene the pose and relation between the players becomes clear. By shouting ‘plus one’ or ‘minus one’ again the scenes turn again.

Most of the time, there is one round of ‘plus one’ so that every pair can start their story. With every next turn of the pair the situation furthers. A problem can arise, a habit can escalate. To give a twist to the story of a pair, repetition can be used by the players in the back as a gimmick. Continuously switching back to a scene that is ‘stuck’ can bring life to the game. Sometimes just shifting to the pair – no words, only glances – is enough.

It is nice if in the end all stories come together, all characters know or need each other; this is not required.

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