1 - INTRO TO BOUFFON : MOCKING, FLOCKING AND MADNESS

5th, 6th, 7th & 9th November 

1030-1700

Bold Theatre, Elephant and Castle, London 

£300 

About the workshop:

A Satiric Ensemble of Mocking Madness and Mayhem! 

The World laughs at the Clown, but the Bouffons laugh at the World! 

Unleash your inner Bouffon in an explosion of fun and comedy gold.

Imagine a wild-eyed pack of Players, ecstatic to mock anything and everything. Ridiculous, confronting and poetic, this Satyric chorus teeters on the seesaw of fun and uncomfortable truth.

To begin this journey, we focus on the role of “The Player”. Students will discover the attitude and drives of Bouffons, through:

- Ensemble play & Complicity

- Chorus work

- Finding the fun in mocking

- Non-linear play.

- Investigating dynamics of objects, actions, and roles.

Join us! Fun, freedom and mischief await!

2. THE SHAPE OF FUN 

8th & 10th November (9th Nov costume finding day) 

1030-1700

Bold Theatre, Elephant and Castle, London 

£175

About the workshop:
What is the shape of fun?  How do we use shape and rhythm to fascinate our audience?  Charm them?  Make them laugh?  Disgust them?  

Hunt for dynamic and fascination personas by changing your body’s architecture.  Evoke provocative and ridiculous themes!  What does it take to keep the mask of this new form alive in the space?

Students in this class will explore:

TECHNIQUE

• Tension
• Fixed point
• Contrasting Dynamics of Space/ Weight/ Time
• Engaging rhythms.
• shapes that “pop”

RAPPORT

• Do you compel or repel the audience?
• How can you manipulate us?

THEME

• What themes does the shape evoke, or
• Starting from theme, what shapes can express that theme in a fertile way?

About the teacher, Eric Davis:

Eric Davis is an award winning performer, director, and Cirque du Soleil clown. His critically-acclaimed bouffon, Red Bastard, won awards for Best Theater, Most Outrageous Show, Commitment to Community along side copious international Best of Fests, and was named Top 5 shows at the world’s largest performance fest- Edinburgh Fringe. As a clown, he was in the creation of ensemble of 2 Cirque Du Soleil shows, ALEGRIA and IRIS.

As a Director, Eric’s Bouffon Glass Menajoree was nominated for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Ensemble, & Outstanding Original Script by the NY Innovative Theater Awards. Mr. Davis appears in the feature films, Urge & I’d Kill For You. For reviews, info about shows, workshops, direction and consulting: redbastard.com.

About the space

The workshop will take place at Bold Theatre, Elephant and Castle. 

Accessibility: This is mostly a level space with direct access from lift with good movement for wheelchair users. There is space for a hoist in the accessible toilet. There is a secondary area that has two steps down.

Payment

Once you complete the form we will send you details for payment. Your place is not confirmed until payment is made. 

If you would prefer to pay over separate instalments please let us know what would work for you. 

The fee is non-refundable however your space can potentially be filled by someone on a waiting list if you need to drop out.