Workshops Performing Arts CLOWN WORKSHOP: Playing with Tragedy

CLOWN WORKSHOP: Playing with Tragedy
May 27th 1.30pm – 5.30pm
May 28th 10.30am – 5.30pm
May 29th 12 noon – 5pm
May 30th 10.30am – 5.30pm
May 31st 10.30am – 5.30pm

Tragedy is an opportunity for the Clown to play on a grand scale.
Play is spontaneous, enjoyable and full of surprises. It leads to enjoyment and shared laughter. In this workshop we will look at how the Clown can still play when the usual setbacks mount up to become a tragedy. When surrounded by huge emotions and overwhelming circumstances we will discover the playfulness and beauty of tragedy and how the Clown finds ways to play with great emotions and not to undermine them.

What topics will we cover?
The themes will be: play, co-operation, status, atmosphere, simplicity, and vulnerability. We will apply these to a variety of situations that involve loss or rejection. The Clown’s response can invoke laughter, sympathy, tears or wonder – or all four at the same time! There will be particular focus upon work with the red nose.

What will I learn?
By the end of the workshop, you should be able to:
• be relaxed when playing with tragedy.
• be courageous and positive and able to continue playing and find games when faced with tragic
circumstances.
• be able to be open, vulnerable and honest on stage.
• develop a strong, direct relationship with other performers and the audience.

COVID: YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF BEING AT LEAST DOUBLE JABBED PLUS EVIDENCE OF A NEGATIVE LATERAL FLOW TEST EACH MORNING OF THE WORKSHOP.

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS
“I recommend this course to anyone who wants to recover the innocence of play and performance”.
“Gerry is an excellent tutor. This is an eye-opening course.”
“My confidence has grown and joyful work ignited.”
“Wonderfully upbeat and playful!”
“Great tutor – encouraged and pushed us but always sensitive to our limitations.”
“My confidence has grown and the joyful work ignited.”

WORKSHOP FEE: £360
Early Bird fee: £280 if booked before 16th May 2022

Gerry Flanagan is Artistic Director of Shifting Sands Theatre founded in 1998 to create and tour stimulating Clown theatre that is both comic and moving. Past productions include Faustus – A Devilish Comedy!: Boxed In: Romeo & Juliet: The Deadline: The Seagull: Arabian Nights… and Days: The Devil’s Doctor; The King Lear. The company has an extensive street theatre program and encourages the development of new talent via teaching and performance projects.

“That wonderful, bewildered clown, Gerry Flanagan” Time Out

www.shiftingsandstheatre.co.uk

To Book a Place email Gerry at: shiftingsandstheatre@hotmail.com

Coming Soon!
PLAY & PERFORM: an extensive workshop to devise a show with two performances in September at Edinburgh’s Storytelling Centre.

Location details

How to find St Margaret’s House

Directions