Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves is a circle rhythm exercise in which players accumulate a sequence of gestures. The first player establishes a repeating movement; each subsequent player adds a new gesture while maintaining all previous ones. The compounding complexity tests memory, coordination, and group synchronization.
Structure
Setup
- Players stand in a circle.
- The first player establishes a simple, repeatable gesture with a sound or word.
- Every player performs this gesture.
- The second player adds a second gesture before or after the first.
- Every player now performs both gestures in sequence.
- Each subsequent player adds one more gesture to the accumulating chain.
The Accumulation Challenge
- By the time the chain reaches six or eight gestures, the memory and coordination demands become substantial.
- Players must reproduce every gesture in correct sequence before adding their own.
- Errors are acknowledged without embarrassment and the group attempts to rebuild from the error point.
What It Trains
- Sequential memory and physical reproduction.
- Group coordination: the group must remain synchronized as the chain grows.
- Comfort with public error: the later rounds virtually guarantee some failure, and the group culture around failure is part of the exercise.
Facilitation Notes
- Start with simple, distinct gestures to build the chain's foundation.
- The facilitator can choose to end the game at a natural peak of complexity rather than running until complete breakdown.
Variations
- The chain is performed to a rhythm, with each gesture taking exactly one beat.
- Players who make an error must leave the circle, continuing until the most accurate player remains.
How to Teach It
How to Explain It
"We are building a chain of gestures. [Player one], give us a gesture. Now everyone does it. [Player two], add one before or after. Now everyone does both. We keep adding until we have as many as we can hold."
Common Notes
- The early rounds are about clarity. Every gesture should be repeatable and distinct.
- Watch for creeping variation: players who slightly modify earlier gestures with each repetition. The chain must remain stable at its base.
- Manage the group's relationship with error. Laughing at error is fine; shame at error undermines the exercise.
Common Pitfalls
- Early gestures are too similar and the chain becomes indistinct.
- Players add gestures before the previous one is stable across the group.
- The chain is allowed to run until total collapse without the facilitator recognizing the natural ending point.
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The Wave
The Wave is a group exercise in which players send a wave of movement or energy around a circle, each person picking up and passing on the previous player's motion. The exercise trains group rhythm, physical sensitivity, and the instinct to receive and transmit energy without breaking the chain. It is accessible to players of all ages and experience levels.
Whoosh
Whoosh is an energetic circle exercise in which players pass a sound-and-gesture impulse around the group with the option to reverse, deflect, or redirect using different sounds and movements. The exercise is typically played as a layered game in which new moves are introduced one at a time, building complexity and requiring players to hold multiple rules simultaneously. The exercise builds group energy, quick decision-making, and the habit of sending and receiving clear physical signals.
Alphabet Circle
Alphabet Circle is a focus exercise in which players stand in a circle and take turns reciting letters of the alphabet, one per person. The pace increases until errors occur, revealing lapses in concentration. Variations add physical gestures, direction changes, or simultaneous counting to increase difficulty.
Associatioin Chain
Association Chain is a circle exercise in which each player says a word inspired by the previous player's word, building a rapid chain of free associations. The exercise trains spontaneous, uncensored responses and reveals the connective leaps that drive improvised scene work. Speed is essential to prevent intellectual filtering.
Bappety Boo
Bappety Boo is a focus and elimination exercise in which the person in the center of a circle points to someone and counts to a set number. The pointed-to player and their neighbors must complete an assigned physical task before the count finishes. Players who fail are eliminated or take the center. The game sharpens reaction time and group attention.
Ksss
Ksss is an energy-passing exercise in which players direct a sound or gesture across or around a circle, with different sounds triggering different rules for how the energy travels. A "ksss" might pass to the next person while a different sound might reverse direction or jump across. The exercise trains reflexes and group awareness.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/ali-baba-and-the-40-thieves
The Improv Archive. "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/ali-baba-and-the-40-thieves.
The Improv Archive. "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/ali-baba-and-the-40-thieves. Accessed March 17, 2026.
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