Gibberish
1960s-present (Spolin-era through Johnstone)
Also known as Gibberish Expert, Gibberish Scene, Circle Gibberish
Scene or expert interview played entirely in nonsense syllables; a partner or group responds as if gibberish communicates real information. Often paired with a translator.
Known for
- Viola Spolin documented gibberish games in Improvisation for the Theater (1963).
- Strips verbal content and forces emotional/physical expressiveness.
- Johnstone's advice for gibberish experts: 'be more boring' — underplaying makes translation funnier.
- Good gibberish sounds like a real foreign language; not baby babble.
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