The two days offer a practical investigation of how Shakespeare's characters and words can open up unexpected possibilities for your clown, your imagination, and your play-and not just the 'Fool' scenes! Think Hamlet, Richard III, Lady M and more. A unique opportunity to play, explore, and transform your craft!

With a focus on freeing yourself from "Shakes-FEAR" and answering how the clown works with text we will examine:

* the Clown State
* ways to work comic text
* embodiment and vocal embodiment
* and practical side-coaching to bring Shakespeare's characters to life through clown

Over the weekend, we'll work with provided texts - both solo speeches and pair scenes. You can choose from a list of offered solos, or bring a speech you'd like to work on yourself (memorised if possible, or on the page - just bring a second copy!). Be prepared to mix it up with excisions, rewrites and repetitions as we play. There's also a choice of pair scenes provided for the second day.
This workshop is suitable for performers with some prior experience in clowning or related disciplines. People interested in deepening their clown practice, overcoming fear of classical text, and discovering the comedy within Shakespeare's greatest characters.

This workshop is also the perfect companion for anyone wanting to bring a fresh, playful lens to their approach to text and performance.

There are just 12 places on the course to ensure everyone gets time for individual work.

Clown and Shakespeare
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November 2026
10am - 6pm
The Spark Space, 138a Church Road, Bristol, BS5 9HH

£200 - Supporter/ High earner
£185 - Full Price
£170 - Concession (low/no income, student)

EARLYBIRD DEAL:
£160 if you pay before 14 October

"CLOWN AND..." WORKSHOP BUNDLE
Clown and Mask
Clown and Shakespeare
Clown and Tragic Chorus
All 3 workshops - £455 (save £145)

Application required