Jabberwocky

Preparation

• Arrange the group in a circle, seated or standing, with adequate performance space in the center.
• If a circle isn’t possible, create visibility for all players (e.g., wide aisles between desks).
• This game can be played inside or outside.
• Note for younger players: learning the opening stanza is a substantial achievement and quite enough unless they want to go further. Different players can each learn one stanza and put the poem together.

Facilitation

1. First week, each day: Facilitator demonstrates the poem using both vocal and physical competencies, including specific gestures. Invite players to join in whenever they want.
2. Players memorize naturally through repetition. Do not say “You will need to memorize” or “we will memorize.”
3. Players explore gestures for specific lines. Suggestions:
   • Vorpal sword — draw the sword from a scabbard, holding it in one hand.
   • Resting by the Tumtum tree — shift weight to one foot, leaning against an imaginary tree.
4. Following weeks: All do Jabberwocky together, listening and watching the facilitator and everyone else while speaking the words and doing the gestures.
5. Confidence builds. Sometimes a different gesture or sound will emerge from the group; spontaneity leads to laughter.

Parsing the first stanza (suggested emphasis — CAPITAL means emphasize that consonant or syllable):

‘Twas brilliG (suggests cold environment — shake all over, toe to top of head)

And the SLITHey tovES (think “slime” and wipe hands, or “slide” and slide sideways; Toves hops like a toad)

Did gyre (body or one finger spirals from low to high)

And gimble (lock fingers like a transaxle — one side up, then other side down, reverse)

In the wabe. (like a wave — make a wave with hands, emphasize the final “B”)

All mimsy (tentative steps as if stepping into hot water)

Were the borogoves (like a big critter, take the voice down as far as it will go)

And the mome raths (two words — mome sounds like “moan,” so moan; raths = claw hands like a dragon with mouth wide)

outGRABe. (point outside — “Out Grabe” is special, like “Outside”)

Evaluation

• How does each individual demonstrate competency — vocal clarity, physical animation, character variety?
• Are there physical or other restrictions to take into consideration?
• Does a majority of the group demonstrate this competency now?
• Does confidence visibly build over repeated sessions?