Mr. Hit

Mr. Hit is one of the first games I ever played in a Clown workshop, and remains one of my absolute favourites. The rules of the game are fairly simple, though mastering it is far from easy. It's fast pace and ridiculous nature will create lots of opportunities for flops with bursts of laughter, cursing, all while letting everyone learn each player's names.

How to Play:

• Participants stand in a circle, shoulder-width apart.

• One person begins by tapping another participant on the back of their shoulder. They may tap anyone in the circle.

• The participant tapped says the name of anyone in the circle. This can be anyone except the person who tapped them and must be the name of someone still in the game (more on that below).

• If your name is called, you become the tapper and the cycle continues. You can tap anyone in the circle, including the person who said your name.

• Continue until someone is eliminated.

Elimination may occur by:

• Tapping when they should say a name.

• Saying a name when they should tap.

• Hesitation

• Saying the name of someone not in the circle.

• Saying their own name.

• Saying the name of the person who tapped them.

How to Play (cont'd):

• The player who is eliminated decides who begins the next round as the first tapper ("Monsieur Touche" rules)

• Once around 20-40% of group is in audience, have the players still in the game form a clump on stage facing the audience. They play the game as before but this time for the audience rather than in a circle.

Example:

1. Alpha taps Bravo

2. Bravo says "Charlie" (can say anyone but Alpha)

3. Charlie taps Bravo

4. Bravo says "Delta" (can say anyone but Charlie)

5. Delta says "Epsilon"

• In this example, Delta is out as they were supposed to tap someone instead of saying a name. ​

Notes:

• Games continue until two people are left remaining. Those two win the game!

• If you flop, share that moment with the rest of the players and the audience. Don’t look down or away in shame. Instead, fully embrace the flop that just occurred.

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Credits: John Beale, Isaac Kessler, Gordon Neill, Ken Hall, Pedro Fabiao