Forward-Reverse

This one is more entertaining than it sounds. You’ll need at least two players and one offstage host, who can call the direction. Ask for a simple setting or situation and play the start of the scene. After a few lines, the host calls, “Reverse,” and the same lines and actions must be exactly repeated in reverse order.

FATHER: Well, here we are honey, the pet store!

He opens a door, and his daughter pushes ahead of him.

DAUGHTER: I want to see the hamsters, dad.

ASSISTANT: Hello. Can I help you?

HOST: Reverse!

ASSISTANT: Hello. Can I help you?

DAUGHTER: I want to see the hamsters, dad.

Daughter reverses past the father, who closes the door.

HOST: Forward!

Father opens door. Daughter pushes forward again.

DAUGHTER: I want to see the hamsters, dad.

ASSISTANT: Hello. Can I help you?

FATHER: Marjorie! After all these years!

The host should keep changing directions so the scene gradually progresses, spinning out a little more of the story each time, then sending it a few steps back again. The challenge for the players is to remember their lines and movements, so keep dialogue short and make sure each new line is worth saying.

If you prefer, you can use a bell or horn instead of calling “Forward” and “Reverse” each time.

This game probably sounds tedious, but it can be surprisingly entertaining to watch players trying to get the lines and actions right. It’s a good training game, too. It encourages tight dialogue and attention to detail.

Gags include going back before the beginning of the scene, or making players redo a particularly tricky line or movement.