Solve a problem through drama in this quick game from David Farmer – suitable for RE and current affairs students.
Age: 10 to adult
Players: Small groups
Time: 15-30 minutes
Skills: Devising, Improvisation
In groups, devise a short scene or still image, summarising a topical environmental, social, or political problem. Show your image or scene to the other groups. Next, devise a second scene to show your ideal solution to the problem. Discuss whether the second situation is realistically achievable.
Suggested topics
- Environmental issues: climate change, greenhouse gases, mass production, transport, pollution, carbon footprint, sustainability, warming oceans, forest fires, energy sources.
- Social issues: homelessness, bullying, vaping, racism, poverty, crime, mental health, diversity.
- Political issues: proportional representation, devolution, Brexit, equal opportunity, international relations, NHS, phone hacking, refugees, parliamentary system.
Director's tips
- Generate ideas for topics with a mind mapping activity in groups or pairs
- As well as ‘heavy’ topics, the approach can also be used to suggest solutions for fictional or funny situations.