Synonyms
Voice Over.
Introduction
The performers on stage will have their dialogue supplied by performers offstage.
Description
Two, or more, actors on stage will start a scene where they move their mouthes as if speaking, but the dialogue is supplied by another performer. It is helpful for the audience and the performers if the host sets up which performers are dubbing for who.
This is most successful when done with two pairs of performers working together to create a narrative like any other open scene. When one performer moves her mouth as if speaking she makes no noises, and an offstage performer paired with her speaks her dialogue instead.
The performers have to demonstrate exemplary listening skills. The performer doing the dubbing must immediately cease talking when the performer stops moving her mouth. It is recommended that the performers supplying the voices create ones that sound distinctly different.
There is some built in comedy if the voice over is out of synch, but it quickly becomes tiresome. The audience will appreciate well timed dubbing while telling a story adhering to some kind of narrative tool.
Gimmicks
- Extremities of action force voice over performers to explain.
- Extremities of dialogue force stage performers to react.
- Match a low status voice with a high status character
Variations
- Reverse Dubbing – the dubbing performers cannot see the stage.
- Cross Dubbing – the two actors on stage dub each other’s words.
- Cross Dubbing – two performers supply dialogue for each other.
- Low Budget Voice Over – One performer does all voices.
- Translation Scene – On stage performers speak in gibberish and offstage performers translate.
Credits
- None.