Interview with a vampire
This worked so well in class today! It works well with intermediate and above, although other learners could probably manage a modified version. You divide the class in two. One side is journalists, the others are convicted criminals. They have five minutes or so to decide what their criminal name is, why they are in prison, etc etc. They are then interviewed by a journlist who can ask as many questions as they want (you could model questions for less able students). As an extension, you can then get your 'journalists' to write a report on the criminal. The interview must then go from direct to reported speech.
It lasts about 45 mins. They love getting really gory!
Fiona Paignton, Devon, UK