Sound Charades

radio mike

Background

This fun, exciting and pointless game is taken from "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue" on Radio 4. That game is in turn based on the hilarious antics of Una Stubbs and co. on ITV's "Give Us a Clue".

In Sound Charades, no such miming is necessary as the participants are allowed to speak. The identity of the film, book, TV programme, etc., is revealed in a cryptic sketch. For more info see the Wikipedia page.

Postal Rules

Postal Sound Charades is an all-reader game. It is run over a fixed number of turns and players may join in as they please. Each turn consists of mimes and guesses. The first round is mimes only and the last round is guesses only. At the start of the GM announces a list of allowed categories such as Film, TV, Book or Song

Mimes: Each player may submit up to two mimes. Each mime consists of the category, the number of words, and then a few lines of text which constitute the mime itself. Ideally this should contain some kind of play on words (see examples).

The GM collects up all the mimes and for each one which he decides to use in the next round, its author scores 2 points. To be accepted, the answer must be a reasonably well known film, book, song or TV programme. The GM will add a few of his own to make up the numbers if needed.

Guesses: One point is awarded for each correct guess. The author (initials) of each charade is given alongside as this may help - some mimers may have a more literal style whilst others may like to tease with groanworthy word play. Perseverance is rewarded with a rush of satisfaction when the mime is sussed. Authors do not get points for guessing their own mimes (2 points already awarded).

Theme Variant

This version is currently in play in The Celestial Dragon:

Each round the GM sets 5 charades on a common theme, e.g. Science Fiction Movies, and the players guess them, scoring a point for each correct answer.

Players can send in "guest" rounds. If the GM decides to use one, its author scores the maxumum 5 for that round.

Examples

On a PC, hold the mouse over the word 'HINT' for a bit of help or 'ANSWER' to reveal the answer in a tooltip. On a smartphone, tapping anywhere in the blue bar gives you the hint and the answer in an alert box.

FILM 2 WORDS:
"That's a really big washbasin you've got there."
"Yes, I call it my ..."

HINT ANSWER

TV, 6 WORDS:
"Today in Careers class, we're going to do a poll. Hands up all those interested in becoming a fireman. Now brain surgery, any takers for that? Next choice is hat-making..."

HINT ANSWER

TV, 3 WORDS:
"Good evening, and welcome to the programme. Today our reporters will be visiting Italy and not eating any nice pasta dishes. In the studio we'll be looking longingly at some spicy Thai food, and we'll also have a round up of different ways to get maximum enjoyment from a glass of water."

HINT ANSWER

FILM 2 WORDS:
"And now some late breaking news. We go over to our correspondent in Merthyr Tydfil."
"16 workers at this colliery died a grisly death in an amazing incident. Shortly after sharing a large urn of PG Tips during their break they all started to feel ill then suddenly their intestines burst out from their bodies. The other 12 workers who had coffee were unaffected but are being treated for shock."

HINT ANSWER

FILM 5 WORDS:
"Herbert - what is eleven times sixteen?"
"AAAAAAGGGHHH!!! NOOOOOO!!! HELP! IT'S HORRIBLE!"
"Oh come now Herbert, I only asked what is eleven times sixteen"
"PLEASE NOT THAT! ANYTHING BUT THAT! I'M TERRIFIED!"

HINT ANSWER

TV 2 WORDS:
"When did you see the accused leave the nightclub?"
""
"Was he acting in a violent manner?"
""
"Can you describe his tattoo?"
""
"Thank you, that will be all"

HINT ANSWER

TV 1 WORD:
"Would you like Assam, Darjeeling or Earl Grey?"
"Whatever you're having, I'm easy"

HINT ANSWER

FILM - 2 WORDS:
"Welcome to today's music class. In order to understand what makes a good piece of music, you need to realise what makes a bad piece of music.
First, classical. Tomkinson, I want you to compose a rotten symphony, and make it snappy. Next dance music. Jenkins, you must create an awful rap, and do it immediately. And finally, Rogers. You get Caribbean music. I want you to perform..."

HINT ANSWER

OPERA - 2 WORDS:
"News just in.
A bank robbery attempt has been foiled because the getaway car's tyres had been let down. Police were initially baffled as to how this had been done without the robbers noticing. However, eye witnesses later came forward and said they had seen a small rodent wearing a superhero costume nibbling away at the tyres. This most unlikely crime-fighting hero has been given the name.."

HINT ANSWER

SONG - 4 WORDS:
"My brain hurts!"
"Try this aspirin"
"My brain still hurts!"
"OK then, take this paracetamol"
"My brain still hurts!"
"Right, swallow these ibrupofens"
"My brain STILL hurts!"

HINT ANSWER

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