Spies and Secrets

SPIES AND SECRETS

LESSON 1

Task 1

Introduction of spies: behaviour and characteristics (secretive / disguise / signs and signals / codes / passing info / special gadgets etc.
How do they act ? What do they do? (discuss body language and eye contact and their function and tasks)

Task 2

Model: (with volunteer) - set = need chairs set up like park bench.
Ask volunteer to copy everything you do, but after a short delay each time.
Enter the stage and sit down on one end of the bench (with a newspaper and a bag) put the bag on the floor in middle of bench and read the paper
Volunteer should then enter from other direction and sit down opposite end of the bench, place bag next to other one and read paper.
Teacher whistles, delay and volunteer should copy. (1st signal- checking identity)
Teacher clears throat and places paper between them (volunteer = copy) then pick up each others papers (subtly - without looking at each other - signal = make exchange)
Teacher coughs and waits for volunteer to do the same (signal = everything is in order) picks up volunteer's bag and exits, volunteer picks up teacher's bag and exits.

Task 3

Discuss: - What has just happened in this scene? - body language and eye contact - Would passers-by have been suspicious? - Did they look as if they knew each other? - Why? How?

Task 4

Pair work: work on this model - 2 spies meeting to swap secret info without anyone noticing. ( MUST NOT give away identity / disguise)
Must use secret signals (verbal or physical) and exchange info subtly.
Think of new setting (street corner/bus stop/bar etc)
Invent new ways to exchange info (in pen/make-up bag/hair band etc)

Task 5

Perform and evaluate: no corpsing - how subtle were they? (body language and facial expressions, eye contact)- would they have made good spies? - what were their secret signals?

Task 6

Model: ask last pair to repeat their scene and teacher should enter as a new character and disrupt the scene/exchange. (old woman feeding the ducks or old school friend)
They have to try and get around the disruption - try to still exchange info without being discovered (spontaneous improvisation)

Task 7

Discuss: what does this extra character do to the scene? (adds tension and pressure)

Task 8

Groups of 3: try same exchange of info with 3rd person disrupting the scene.
Start and end with a freeze - no one is allowed to exit the drama
Cannot blow cover - spies do not know each other
Want to hear excuses/cover stories/cunning ways to protect secret info.
The mission must fail, make the spies look stupid
Can only last 1 minute
Disrupter must prevent exchange - has to be an ordinary member of public, oblivious to what is going on
Possible characters for disrupter: policeman - thinks they look suspicious or inquiring about another incident / drunk man or tramp / mugger / senile pensioner who is sure she knows one of the spies / old school friend - blows cover.

Task 9

Perform and evaluate: Who was disrupter ? how did they do it? Was it successful?

Acting skills

Good and effective cover stories?

Did spies manage to protect info and identity? How could they have achieved this?

SPIES AND SECRETS

LESSON 2

Task 1

Re-cap last lesson: exchange of info between 2 spies (signals/subtlety/disruption)

Task 2

1/2 class spontaneous impro: café scene - outdoor (set = tables/chairs/benches/bus stop)
1/2 class acting rest as audience. Each person on stage will be given a character card, including 2 spies with given signal and exchange to make. They do not know who other spy is - so they have to listen carefully for the signal / must give it at an appropriate time or repeat it a few times till it is spotted and exchange made.
Rules: 1) do not come out of role until I stop the drama. 2) no-one can exit the drama. 3) audience have to guess who spies are, but cannot interrupt or shout out until the end of the scene. 4) has to be fairly subtle have to remain undercover as spy or you will blow your cover.
Discuss and evaluate then other half to perform, but with new spy character cards.

Anna Zytynska