ABSTRACT
Before embarking on a role-play, make sure the group is warmed up. The warm-up should address three levels. The first level is finding a way of being together as a group in a spirit of playfulness and creativity. A selection of activities from Chapters 1, 2 and 4 can be used. The second level is awakening an interest in the theme of the role-play. This can be achieved with a short introductory talk and discussion conducted by the group leader, or an interview whereby the group leader asks each participant in turn some questions relating to the theme, such as “Would you tell us about your experiences of travelling by bus?” Preparing group members to take on and stay in role for a while is the third level. Before asking group members to take on roles individually, the group leader may take them through some preparatory characterization exercises as a whole group. Each main role in the role-play can be played at first by the group as a whole. For example, “All practise the role of bus driver or conductor. What does she say as you get on the bus? How does she sit? All practise the role of a passenger. What do you say as you get on the bus? What do you give the driver, and what does he give you? If you have a pass where do you tap it?” In this way the group prepares a skeleton action or dialogue, which is fleshed out in more detail in the role-play. Everyone gets a taste of each role, regardless of which role they go on to play more fully.
