At the Ministry of Silly Walks

Final task: in pairs (or threes, with a secretary), act out a new scene at the Ministry of Silly Walks and film it in one shot. The applicant comes with their own silly walk (see the walk maker). Use the polite English of the ministry, and above all: never laugh! Check the assessment grid before you start.

The scene in five steps

The civil servant arrives (with his silly walk!) and apologises.
The applicant explains why they are here.
The applicant describes and shows the walk.
The civil servant evaluates it, very seriously.
The money problem… and the decision.

Useful phrases

The applicant

Good morning. I've come about my silly walk.
I'd like to obtain a government grant to…
Let me show you.
The right leg… while the left leg…
With government backing, I could…
But it's much sillier than…!

The civil servant

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
May I see your silly walk?
That's it, is it?
It's not particularly silly, is it?
I'm afraid the very real problem is one of money.
I'm afraid we can't…
Come back when it's sillier!

An example

Civil servant: Good morning. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Now then, what was it again?

Applicant: Well, I have a silly walk, and I'd like to obtain a government grant to help me develop it.

Civil servant: I see. May I see your silly walk?

Applicant: Certainly. The right leg hops twice, while the left arm draws a circle in the air every third step.

Civil servant: That's it, is it? It's not particularly silly, is it? I mean, the left arm is quite normal.

Applicant: Yes, but with government backing, I could make it much sillier!

Civil servant: I'm afraid the very real problem is one of money. Come back next year… with a sillier walk!

All the activities of the Ministry of Silly Walks