Interrupting and Being Interrupted
Look at these few lines of dialogue:
A: I came round but-
B: I know, I know, I should have-
A: Stop that! You always do that to me, you always-
B: Interrupt you, I know!
Almost every line has been interrupted. One character has butted into the conversation before the other character has finished their line.
The problem
In a scene like this, two professional actors will make it sound authentic and real. But a LOT of actors will make the mistake of waiting for the interruption.
A: I came round but… (slight pause as they wait for B to speak)
B: I know, I know, I should have… (slight pause as they wait for A to speak)
It’s a very common error and easy to spot; a lot of actors make this pausing mistake.
The solution
Always prepare your full line (with a full thought) and try to say it. Don’t wait for the interruption, just keep talking because you WANT to say your line and get it out.
This way, when your scene partner interrupts, they will genuinely cut into your line.
Just like in real life.
A: I came round but you were down the pu-
B: I know, I know, I should have told you tha-
A: Stop that! You always do that to me, you always try to inte-
B: Interrupt you, I know!
In other words, never wait for an interruption!
