This is an easily recognisable format, which allows for as much audience participation as you can get, or a large cast, but can equally be managed by three performers:

The Judge (judge's wigs can be bought from any fancy dress shop - £8 approx.)

The Defendant (who can either wear a mask (e.g. Bush or Brown), a placard explaining who they are or a symbolic costume)

A 'Clerk to the Court' who, like the assistant in the gameshow format, can, if necessary, pretend to listen to witness testimony and relay it to the audience.

The audience can be roped in as witnesses (impromptu or short statements on card if they're willing to read them, or pretending to speak to Clerk to the Court, or as jury where they just have to vote guilty or not guilty.

Example 1

ASBO hearing for the G8 ("Gang of 8")

The G8 leaders were meeting outside Derby and a (relatively small) number of activists had gathered in a city square to protest. People were wandering round fairly aimlessly.

We set up a cardboard 'dock' and in or next to it placed symbolic representatives of the G8 leaders, Bush and Blair since we had the masks, worn by volunteers from the audience, together with a 'city gent' in a suit, representing international finance/multinationals etc, and the judge.

Our 'barker' used a megaphone to gather an audience, at the same time persuading a large number of them to wear masks or placards round their necks representing members of the global community who were alleging anti-social behaviour by the "Gang of 8".

We had animals, elements (Air, Water), poor peasants etc.

We had one pre-prepared witness who made impassioned speeches on behalf of Water and Air. Our barker/Clerk relayed statements apparently made by other witnesses. The defendants jeered, argued and made derisive comments.

The judge declared everyone present to be the jury, who voted the defendants guilty of anto-social behaviour in the global community.

The judge then made them kneel,

and served their ASBOs, which stated that they personally had to suffer everything which they had made others suffer.

The performance seemed to focus everyone's energies and cheer them up. It also inspired us to reuse the format a number of times.

Example 2

Photo opportunity

At the London Climate Change march in December 2005, we (judge, defendant and clerk) set up in Grosvenor Square at a spot away from the main speakers (who were, as usually seems to be the case, largely inaudible), but which people had to walk past to get closer to the speakers' platform.

We offered people the chance to serve an ASBO on Bush or Blair. They could state what anti-social behaviour they charged them with or just hand over the 'scroll' and have their photo taken.

Even people who didn't choose to take part seemed amused and reacted positively to the idea

Media Coverage:

We only did it for a relatively short amount of time but nevertheless got onto the report on BBC News 24.

Costumes:

Judge's wig

Black robe for judge (or piece of black cloth/clothing)

Masks/Symbolic costumes (e.g. suit, top hat) for defendants

Masks for witnesses

Props:

Folded cardboard labelled 'dock'

ASBO 'scroll' (optional)

Placards to hang round necks of witnesses

Click here to return to the top