Sound Charades

by Salam Ramzan and Richard Smith 2001

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 the words of Humphrey Lytlleton :  "Who could forget that famous occasion on which  Lionel Blair, vigorously moving his hands back and forth in a steady rhythmic action, pulled off One Man and His Dog in under two minutes."

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.

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.

Mimes: Each player may submit up to two mimes. These must be in one of four categories - Film, TV, Book or Song. 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. Here is an example (for more see below).

TV - Two words:
Sharon and Tracy were both getting married on the same afternoon at Basildon Register Office. Their weddings were running a bit late so they were both hanging around in the waiting area. Suddenly Sharon saw the most handsome man she had ever seen standing before her in his top hat and shell suit, and she instantly fell in love. Realising he was actually Tracy's fiancé she looked round quickly to see if she was spotted. To her amazement she saw Tracy lovingly sharing a kebab with her fiancé!

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, and the mime must "work". The GM may add a few of his own if he wishes.

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.

In the example above, you have to think - what's going on? Two brides appear to be swapping fiancés - they're Changing (g)Rooms!

Examples

The selection previously given on this site has been replaced with some new ones. Hold the mouse over the word 'HINT' for a bit of help or 'ANSWER' to reveal the answer.

FILM, 3 WORDS:
We had a marvellous day out in Teletubbyland. We got excellent front views of Dipsy and TinkyWinky, and a stunning rear shot of LaLa. But the most exciting part was our mighty quest to get a look at the other one, we couldn't see him from the front or the rear, only at ninety degrees!
HINT ANSWER

FILM, 1 WORD:
"Hi Dave, sorry, Davina, how was your operation?"
"Fine, how about yours Brian?"
"Great, oh and it's Penelope now"
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 1 WORD:
Look! There's an opposite divided by a hypotenuse! Oooh! There's another one!
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 3 WORDS:
"We're now passing through Grotwangle-on-Sea. We won't be stopping as all the shops are shut and I'm now going to tell you why. It dates back to the Second World War when the Germans tried a sneak attack up the narrow estuary you can see on your left. As the German boats approached, a resourceful farmer treated his cows' nipples with black fabric colourant and got them to swim around upside-down just under the water. The Germans, believing there to be a minefield in the estuary turned back and the town was saved. An annual holiday was declared in commemoration, they called it ..."
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! OH NO I'VE CRAPPED MYSELF!!!"
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 nurofens"
"My brain STILL hurts!"
HINT ANSWER

SONG - 2 WORDS:
I really like singing about money. I did a Country and Western composition earlier which I called "Dollar Song". In a similar vein, my latest is a Latin American number entitled " ......
HINT ANSWER

TV - 1 WORD:
"Have you seen Dracula lately?"
"I think he's suffering from depression. All he does is mope around in his crypt".
HINT ANSWER

SONG - 4 WORDS:
I was having a nice day at the seaside until this thug turned up. First I watched him slipper my sandcastle. Next I watched aghast as he caned my deck chair. Now he's heading towards my large wooden erection with his hand raised. Looks like he's going to..
HINT ANSWER