Clown & Mask
a 2 day course with Gonzalo Villareal Porzio
What happens when the simplicity of the Larval Mask meets the playful vulnerability of the clown?
Just a huge thank you. For the precision, the care, the space you created, and the depth of the work. I truly appreciated every moment — from the structure to the spontaneity." In this two-day workshop, we will explore how the Larval Mask and Clown illuminate one another. The Larval Mask trains deep listening with the whole body. It develops physical awareness and gives shape to emotion through the body. From there, we'll gradually let the clown emerge as a playful state born from simplicity.
Larval Masks suggest characters, emotions, and worlds, but only in their larval state: full of potential, never fixed. Their simplicity encourages clarity rather than complexity, reminding us that less can reveal far more. Their scale calls for bold, generous physical play, reconnecting us with a fundamental theatrical impulse: to play together, to discover together, and to create meaning through relationship. The themes we explore with these masks are simple and open-ended. They have no visible openings for the performer to see—yet the mask itself sees. This apparent limitation invites us to awaken our spatial awareness and discover new ways of perceiving, moving, and responding. The whole body becomes the instrument of listening. From this foundation, we'll explore how these same qualities become the basis of clowning. Rather than treating Clown and Larval Mask as separate techniques, this workshop explores the dialogue between them, offering performers a deeper understanding of both. WHO IS THIS FOR:
This workshop is open to performers, theatre-makers, clowns, and anyone curious about physical theatre. 
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
"This workshop reminded me what life is about— not taking things too seriously and allowing the energy to flow. I gained numerous insights that I plan to incorporate into my future work." "I feel that the mask exercises opened up new ways of seeing for me, for the first time ever I felt like I am lucid dreaming in real life." "If you want to open up a new dimension of theater and if you want to understand yourself and be more comfortable just existing, and if you want to clear your mind, go to El Cuarto de Meme Teatro." "This workshop reminded me what life is about— not taking things too seriously and allowing the energy to flow. I gained numerous insights that I plan to incorporate into my future work." |
How it works
★ Dates & times: Saturday 31 October & 1 November 2026 10am - 5pm ★ Venue: The Spark Space, 138a Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9HH ★ Investment: £200 - Supporter/ High earner £185 - Full Price £170 - Concession (low/no income, student) EARLYBIRD DEAL: £160 if you pay before 30 September "CLOWN AND..." WORKSHOP BUNDLE All 3 workshops - £455 (save £145) BOOKING: Email [email protected] to book a place If you’re not sure if your level of experience would support you to join this workshop, please email us and we will be happy to help identify if the workshop is right for you. 
Welcome to our Clown and… series – where clowning meets other theatre disciplines! Discover new dimensions of your creative practice by exploring the intersection of clowning with different artistic disciplines. How does the spontaneity, playfulness, and vulnerability of clown transform other modalities and vice versa? Through this series, you’ll:
Whether you're a performer, artist, or simply curious, join us to play, experiment, and uncover fresh ways to create. The clown is your guide - where will the journey take you? Check out the full series: Sat 31 October & Sun 1 November Clown & Mask 2-day workshop with Gonzalo Villareal Porzio Sat 14 & Sun 15 November Clown & Shakespeare 2-day workshop with Peta Lily Sat 5 & Sun 6 December Clown & Tragic Chorus 2-day workshop with Judith Milligan & Robyn Hambrook |
