Drama Games for Devising

As part of the ever-growing, increasingly popular Drama Games series, Jessica Swale returns with another dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book, packed with dozens of drama games that can be used in the process of devising theatre.

The games will be invaluable to directors and theatre companies at all levels who are creating new pieces of theatre from scratch and need lively, dynamic games to fire the imagination. They will particularly appeal to school, youth theatre and community groups where devising is a growing trend – and a core element of the drama curriculum.

Written with clear instructions on How to Play, notes on the Aim of the Game, and illuminating examples from professional productions, the games cover every aspect of the devising process and develop all the skills required: generating ideas, creating characters and scenarios, using stimuli, structuring the piece, and creating an ensemble.

Mike Leigh, the most dedicated and celebrated creator of devised work, hails the book in his foreword as 'highly original and massively useful'.

'A remarkable compendium of games and exercises… a lively starting point for rich invention' Mike Leigh, from his Foreword



Jessica Swale is a director, writer and the Artistic Director of Red Handed Theatre Company. She has worked for the National Theatre, Out of Joint, Shakespeare's Globe and for many drama schools and theatre projects both in the UK and overseas. Her first book, Drama Games for Classrooms and Workshops, is the bestselling book of its kind.



'Very useful'



'This new volume is packed full of activities to help the work of teachers, as well as directors.. Any drama teacher, youth leader or play director seeking to develop skills in text-free environments is likely to find practical inspiration here'



'A brilliant collection of starting points and structures that can be used again and again'



'A book which fairly fizzes with ideas'